Topical Bible: Warfare of Saints: To be Carried On: Under Christ, As Our Captain

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The concept of spiritual warfare is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, where believers are depicted as soldiers engaged in a battle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. This warfare is to be carried out under the leadership of Jesus Christ, who is portrayed as the Captain of our salvation.

Christ as Our Captain

Jesus Christ is often referred to as the Captain or Leader of the faithful in their spiritual battles. Hebrews 2:10 states, "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom everything exists, to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering." The term "author" can also be understood as "captain" or "leader," indicating Christ's role in guiding and leading His followers through the trials and tribulations of spiritual warfare.

The Nature of the Battle

The warfare that saints are called to engage in is primarily spiritual. Ephesians 6:12 emphasizes this by stating, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the unseen nature of the battle and the need for divine assistance and leadership.

Equipped for Battle

Believers are equipped for this spiritual warfare through the armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:13-17 : "Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." This passage underscores the necessity of spiritual preparedness and reliance on divine resources.

Following Christ's Example

Christ Himself set the example for spiritual warfare during His earthly ministry. In Matthew 4:1-11 , Jesus resists the temptations of Satan by relying on the Word of God, demonstrating the power of Scripture in spiritual battles. His victory over temptation serves as a model for believers to follow, showing that reliance on God's Word and the Holy Spirit is crucial in overcoming the enemy.

Victory Assured

The ultimate victory in this spiritual warfare is assured through Christ's triumph over sin and death. Colossians 2:15 declares, "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." This victory is not only a past event but also a present reality for believers who are in Christ, as they share in His triumph and are empowered to overcome the forces of darkness.

Encouragement for the Saints

Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast and courageous in this spiritual warfare, knowing that Christ, as their Captain, leads them to victory. 1 Corinthians 15:57 offers assurance: "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." This victory is both a present experience and a future hope, as believers anticipate the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom.

In summary, the warfare of saints is a spiritual battle carried out under the leadership of Jesus Christ, who equips and empowers His followers to stand firm against the forces of evil. Through His example, believers are called to engage in this battle with confidence, knowing that victory is assured through Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 2:10
For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Intercession of Christ
... to the manner in which His intercession is carried on: it ... He is a King, King of saints,
and King of nations ... And thus it is in the warfare which true Christians ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlvii the intercession of.htm

The Necessity and Benefits of Religious Society
... communities be kept up, or commerce carried on, without ... a lasting and pious communion
of the saints on earth ... strengthen you in your Christian warfare, and "make ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the necessity and benefits of.htm

The Statute of David for the Sharing of the Spoil
... fire, and wives and children were carried away captive ... come into the front places
of warfare, deny them ... Some saints are constitutionally depressed and sad; they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the statute of david for.htm

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, as the Way, for Sanctification in ...
... Spirit that the work of sanctification is carried on in ... be partakers of the inheritance
of the saints in light ... or whatever his fight in this warfare calleth for ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter v how christ is.htm

The Sword of the Spirit
... all this care, judge ye what the warfare must be! ... with him understand the art of
equivocation; but saints abhor it ... may be weary, but it will be carried on from ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the sword of the spirit.htm

Letter i. The Christian's Mark.
... great Captain of their salvation, in a warfare which will ... you have the pattern of
that law carried out in ... state of perfect holiness which the saints will have ...
/.../letter i the christians mark.htm

The Church as She Should Be
... If ten thousand saints were burned to-morrow, their dying ... be assailed, but they will
never be carried by the ... If they do not admire our mode of warfare, we think ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm

Indwelling Sin
... shoot against us, or else it is positively at warfare with us ... but I have seen many
of God's aged saints, and asked ... you as ever; here will be a war carried on in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/indwelling sin.htm

A Sermon for the Time Present
... since faith was given us, and we have carried away our ... very puzzling thing to the
devil to hear saints sing when ... thing to be quite alone in the warfare of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 33 1887/a sermon for the time.htm

'Other Sheep'
... more foreigners but fellow-citizens with the saints.' But the ... a loving bosom where
we are carried when we ... In savage lands warfare rages on, ceaseless, ignoble ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/other sheep.htm