THE BREASTPLATE OF FAITH AND LOVE

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 8

1 Thessalonians 5:8

But let us, who are of the day, be sober,

putting on the breastplate of faith and love;

and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

 
We are surrounded by foes, and are in a state of perpetual conflict.
 
Armour is provided for us by the great Captain of the whole of it 

and we are directed to take the whole of it and use it for our defence.
 
The breastplate which is to guard the heart,
   is composed of faith and love;
    the two principal graces of the Spirit.
 
Faith is confidence in God.
 
Love is affection for him.
 
Faith always begets love, and love strengthens faith;
  together they make the Christian a match for his foes.
 
Faith always embraces the Lord Jesus as the Saviour,
  Friend, and Lord of poor sinners; and
   love delights in him as the visible Jehovah,
     the fountain of grace; and the brightness of glory.
 
Faith receives the promises and trusts them,
  love calls forth admiration and renders praise for the same.
 
Faith appropriates the righteousness of Christ for justification,
  love delights in the person of Christ as supremely glorious.
 
Faith daily leads to the open fountain for cleansing,
  love conducts to the throne for intercourse and communion.
 
Faith looks to Christ for support, love goes forth to labour or suffer in his cause.
 

Let faith and love, most holy God!

Possess this soul of mine:

So shall I conquer all my foes,

And reach the joys divine.

 
James Smith