---

I. THE CONFLICT IN WHICH CHRISTIANITY AND ITS ADVOCATES ARE ENGAGED.

1. The world must be regarded as the scene of universal strife and rebellion against God. Before the creation of our race some of the powers of heaven revolted from their allegiance. By the chief of these fallen spirits, man was successfully tempted to the perpetration of evil; and the whole history of the world since has only presented the annals of unbroken rebellion against God.

2. The conduct of the warfare on behalf of God was confided to a temporary dispensation; but in the fulness of time it was finally committed to the dispensation of the gospel. When the gospel went forth there was a vast amount of individual opposition. But, besides this, there were opposing systems. There was, for example, Judaism, which, now that its shadows were fulfilled, had no right to the exercise of authority over men. There were also various modifications of the grand apostasy of heathenism.

3. This gospel is still to be the instrument of the spiritual conflict.

II. THE WEAPONS WITH WHICH THIS CONFLICT IS CONDUCTED. Note —

1. The denial expressed. "We do not war after the flesh." "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal" — not penalties, prison-houses, or swords. Christianity is absolutely incompatible with those means of propagation. Never did the penalties of law or the horrors of armies urge forward the cause of redemption one single step.

2. The affirmative implied.

(1) The instrumentality that the advocates of Christianity are to employ. Evangelical truth, along with the evidence by which that truth is attested and confirmed. The preaching of the Cross of Christ involves in it all those high and delightful topics which are so well adapted to produce a powerful impression on the intellect and the affections of mankind; and we therefore rely upon it to secure the progress of Christianity.

(2) The agency upon which they are to depend. God has been pleased to provide the agency of His own Spirit to work in connection with the gospel. The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. Man draws the bow at a venture, God wings the arrow, and makes it sharp in the hearts of the King's enemies. "Not by might, nor by power."

III. THE VICTORY IN WHICH THIS CONFLICT WILL TERMINATE.

1. The nature of this victory will be accordant with infinite benevolence. Our contemplations of victory in human war are always connected with many causes of sorrow; but who can contemplate the victories of the gospel without rapture?

2. The extent of this victory will be commensurate with the boundaries of the world.

(J. Parsons.)

---

---

KJV: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

WEB: For though we walk in the flesh, we don't wage war according to the flesh;