“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”  Ephesians 6:10-15

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.”  Ephesians 1:16-20

In battle, the soldier needs to be a______ and m_______.*

1. Mobility and the Gospel of Grace.

• The conviction of sin and personal need.
• The way of clarity regarding the way of salvation; by faith alone in the work of Christ alone.

We must be “taken up by the gospel” in adoration as we understand the gospel.

2. Clear (unclouded) Communication and Advancement in Grace

“One of the most urgent needs in the church of God today is a recovery of the simple biblical truth that the Christian life is a life of faith in response to God’s Word. Faith feeds on the promises of God and grows healthy and strong by them.”  John R.W. Stott, Confess Your Sins: The Way of Reconciliation

“There is no misery of mind or spirit to compare with estrangement from God through sin and the refusal to confess it in penitence; and there is no joy like fellowship with God through repentance, confession, and forgiveness.”
John R.W. Stott, Confess Your Sins: The Way of Reconciliation

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”  James 5:16


“Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins, particularly.”
Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 15, Article 5

“As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon of them; upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy; so, he that scandalizes his brother, or the church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession, and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended, who are then to be reconciled to him and to receive him in love.”  Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 15, Article 6

For the child of God, there’s never a fear of being abandoned because we’ve been adopted into God’s embrace by the work of the cross. But the Father has a settled antagonism against sin. If we harbour sin in our hearts, we can call forth the strong and potentially painful, PROVIDENTIAL action of a loving Father who desires our best and His glory.

“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’”  Hebrews 12:5-6

“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”  2 Timothy 2:20-21

1. What do the military careers of Alexander the Great (350 B.C.), Stonewall Jackson (died 1863), and George Patton (“the Battle of the Bulge”), teach us about mobility and warfare?
2. What is the difference between the John Wesley before May of 1738 (viewed his Christian life through his works) and after his Alders Gate experience (rejoiced in the gospel of grace)?
3. Do you agree with John R. W. Stott regarding unconfessed, undealt with sin, and misery in the life of a Christian?
4. Can we retrospectively (in hindsight) be thankful for the Lord painfully exposing our sin in order to show us our absolute dependence?

“My body failed before my brain. I am of sound mind as I write this, January 1st, 2026. If you wonder about any of my choices for my estate, or anything else, please know I am free of any coercion or inappropriate influence of any sort. I promise. Next, many of my Christian friends have asked me to find Jesus before I go. I’m not a believer, but I have to admit the risk-reward calculation for doing so looks attractive. So, here I go: I accept Jesus Christ as my lord and savior, and I look forward to spending an eternity with him. The part about me not being a believer should be quickly resolved if I wake up in heaven. I won’t need any more convincing than that. And I hope I am still qualified for entry.”  Scott Adam, January 1, 2026

*(alert and mobile)