fight the good fight

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.  (The Apostle Paul, 2 Timothy 4:7)

I've been thinking about the life of the Apostle Paul.  Life after his miraculous encounter with Christ and his conversion was not easy.  In fact, it was filled with shipwrecks, persecution, and imprisonment right up to his execution.  Paul wrote Philippians (a letter of joy) from prison and he wrote his second letter to Timothy while he was awaiting his own death in prison.  Second Thessalonians was written to a church whose people were being persecuted.  Life was not easy for the early church, and it isn't easy for Christians today.

Christians who are seeking God and seeking to do His will are ALWAYS going to face opposition.  We have a spiritual enemy and he wants to steal from us, kill us, and destroy us.  (Ephesians 6:12 and John 10:10)  Jesus even told His disciples. "Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)  It comes as no surprise to Him that the devil comes at us any way he can, trying to steal, kill, and destroy the abundant life that is already ours through the resurrection of Jesus.  The victory of every battle we face has already been won by Jesus, but the enemy certainly tries to convince us otherwise.  The devil "wins" when we give up the fight for what God wants for us. 

We must keep fighting, my friends!  I know that it's hard.  I've been discouraged in my own battles lately and it has affected every part of my life...and especially fulfilling my God-given purpose.  It's the little things that get to me.  One thing leads to another, and before I know it, I'm ready to give up the fight.   James 1:2-4 was written for such a time.  "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing more."

Ephesians 6:10-18 gives Christians their fighting instructions.  A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.  Then after the battle you will be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.  Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Truth, God's righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God are our defense, along with prayer.  And once we have every piece of armor in place and our weapons in hand, then we stand, firmly rooted in God's love and confident because we are His children.  No where in Ephesians 6 does it mention any of our typical human solutions.  Our enemy is NOT human, and his attacks are in the form of lies, deception, anxiety, insecurity, and hate, to name just a few.  Nothing good comes from our enemy.  Fight his lies with God's truth about who you are and who God is.  Put on the righteousness that Jesus died to give us.  Walk in peace.  Hold up your faith in God like a shield.  Put salvation on your head to guard your thoughts.  Know the word of God and use it like a sword to cut through lies and deception.  Pray in the Spirit every moment of every day.  Be alert to the schemes of the devil and STAND. 

It is okay to grow weary from battle.  Hide in the presence of God and be refreshed and restored.  Find other believers who will stand and encourage.  Fill your mind with God's truth and pray.  Keep fighting the good fight...I'm in it with you!!!