The Belt of Truth

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.

Ephesians 6:13-14a

The officers in the Roman army wore short skirts, very much like Scottish kilts. Over them they had a cloak or tunic which was secured at the waist with a girdle. When they were about to enter battle, they would tuck the tunic up under the girdle so as to leave their legs free and unimpeded for the fight. Girding the loins was always a symbol of readiness to fight. That is why this command is first: You cannot do battle until you first gird your loins with truth.

When you are threatened by discouragement, coldness, and similar moods, how do you fight back? You remember that, when you became a Christian, you girded up your loins with truth. That means to remind yourself that, in coming to Jesus Christ, you found the truth behind all things; you found him who is in himself the truth. He is the truth, he is reality, he is the key to life. Well, someone says, how do you know that? How do you know you are not performing an act of blind faith without any supporting evidence at all? That is not what a Christian does. Christian faith is not blind faith. We believe Christ is the truth because he demonstrated he was the truth.

How did he demonstrate that he was the truth? First, by what he said. Read the things he said. Incomparable things! He gave the clearest insights into what human life was about ever given in the hearing of men. Even his enemies say so. No one ever saw as clearly as he, no one ever probed so deeply or put his finger so precisely upon the elements which make up human life and thinking.

But not only that, he demonstrated the truth by what he did. The New Testament record is an amazing account of mighty deeds. Miracles? Yes, there are evidences of the intrusion of the spiritual kingdom into the visible realm. He capped it all by showing that he had solved the one problem which is insoluble to every other man — the problem of death. He rose from the dead! What other philosopher or thinker has ever done anything like that? That is why I know Jesus Christ is the truth, because he solved the problem of death.

But it is not only by what he said and what he did, but further, by what he is. Bring this into the present. What has he been to you and to others? Look back at your own Christian life and its beginnings. Did he deliver you? Has he set you free? Has he been your friend? It has been pointed out that through the centuries, men have been calling on others for help. You may lack courage and call on a great contemporary hero to help you, but nothing happens. You may lack wisdom and call on one of the great philosophers of the day. But no help comes. Yet for twenty centuries, men and women in desperate plight have been calling out: Lord Jesus Christ, help me, and help is given! Deliverance comes! That is how we know he is the truth.

Remember that when you feel defeated, when you are under attack, when doubts come flooding into your mind. Remember that you have girded up your loins with truth; you have found him who is the solid rock.

Thank you, Lord, for the provision you have made for me to gird my mind with the best of truth. Thank you that you ARE the truth, and that you live in me. Amen.