2.03.20. The warfare
XX. THE WARFARE.
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the souL”— 1 Peter 2:11.
HERE we suddenly step down again into the arena of practical duty, — the conflict which must he waged through life against multiform vice.
But, Peter, you gave us an exhortation on that head a few lines further up. After the practical warning, ** Laying aside all malice,” etc, you led us into the deep doctrines of the covenant, and made us almost forget that there is still a world and wickedness. Again you revert at a spring to the old subject, “ Abstain from fleshly lusts.” Has the ardent apostle forgotten, and glided off the track?
No; he knows where he is: he is about the Master’s business. “ The Lord said unto Peter, I have prayed for thee When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
He is in the act of obeying that injunction now. He knows by bitter experience, that after making a good confession, a man’s heart, if left to itself, will fall again into deep sin. “ Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona; that is a grand and full confession. But Simon’s warfare is not yet accomplished. He thought it was; but he was mistaken.
“ Though all men forsake thee, yet will not I.” Hear him!
He is hallooing before he is out of the wood. The next time you meet him, he is cursing and swearing: “I know not the man.” This time the apostle does not fall into the mistake of counting the battle won as soon as the soldier has got his armour on. He returns to the charge, on the assumption that the enemy is not dead yet. Another blow: “ Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” His doctrinal discussions are always followed up by warnings and precepts for practice. Like other good soldiers, he takes advantage of everything that promises to further his object. Human affections are pressed into the service: “ Dearly beloved.” The power of love is like the power of gravity. It surrounds the greatest, and yet grasps the least. It keeps a mountain steady on its base, and balances a dew-drop on a blade of grass. How often do human beings labour in the fires to accomplish their objects, and fail for want of this greatestally! This is as if manufacturers should abandon steam, and revert to the strength of human arms. Love will do effective service at every turn, and on any material. Call love to your aid, and it would be hard to say what barrier you will not surmount.
“ As strangers and pilgrims.” Another weight thrown in to increase the vantage on the side of right. In military monarchies it has always been the policy to employ the soldiers far from home. When the Austrian Empire was a conglomerate of many nationalities, German regiments were sent to campaign in Italy, and Italians served in Grerraany. When the men had not a home to care for they were more completely at the disposal of their leaders. This is Peter’s idea here. Christians are not at home in the world. There is less to distract them. They should be better soldiers of Jesus Christ. The more loose their hearts are to the earth, the more firm will be the anchor of their souls on high. Conversely, the more they are attached to their home in heaven, the less will they be entangled with the wealth and the pleasures of the world. The same contrast is exhibited by Paul when he brings the two classes together, in order to exhibit their opposite courses and ends. This class mind earthly things; that class, on the contrary, have their citizenship in heaven (Php 3:18-20).
These desires that belong to the flesh are adversaries of the soul. There is a difference between a war and a battle.
It is not a random stroke; it is warfare on a plan. A battle may be won, and yet the victor be overcome ere the war be over. The first French emperor gained several great battles in the Russian campaign; but his army was not only vanquished, it waa almost annihilated in the end It is thus that certain appetites and passions, although once and again overcome by a resolute will, return to the charge, and watch their opportunity. It is not a battle, and done with it; the vanquished foe often enslaves his conqueror. A young man in modem society must do battle for his life with strong drink. He can taste it freely and stop in time. He despises the weak who seek safety in flight and abstinence. He knows what is good for him, and will not allow himself to be overcome. He obtains a good many victories, and counts himself invulnerable. But the wily foe persists. By little and little a diseased thirst is generated. The enemy now has an accomplice within the castle gates; and in the end the strong man, like Samson with his eyes out, grinds darkling in his enslaver’s prison. For the Lord’s redeemed it is not a hardship but rather a privilege to be strangers and pilgrims. The last step of the pilgrimage is the entrance into home. If here we have no continuing city, all the more intently will we seek one to come. If this is not our rest because it is polluted, into the rest that remaineth for the people of God nothing shall enter that defileth. “ Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”