"For though we walk after the flesh, we do not war after
the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds."
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 KJV
Although being a follower of the Messiah Jesus is to be a journey of joy...
the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds."
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 KJV
Although being a follower of the Messiah Jesus is to be a journey of joy...
...it is also a journey which at times involves suffering and sacrifice.
Yes, the same Savior, who loves us and died on the cross for our sins so that we who have placed our faith in Him now have the gift of eternal life, has also called us to "fight a good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12). Likewise, we are commanded to "endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3).
That's reality. I know this, not only by reading the Scriptures, but from experience. The life of a follower of the Lord Jesus involves both joy and peace, as well as stress and hardship as a result of the varying levels of spiritual warfare, which every Christian will at times have to confront.
And why is this? It's because we live in a fallen world where evil exists, and so does the devil. We also live with our fallen nature as well. And as such, our already corrupted nature cannot be fully eradicated until we are in heaven with Jesus.
Therefore, until then, the reality is we have two wars going on at the same time. The first is the war from the outside, where Satan and his demons fight against Christ's followers. While the second is the war from within. It is here where our own fallen nature seeks to regain control of our bodies, which have since become the property of the Holy Spirit (Romans 7:14-25; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19).
Yet the good news is that, while our battles may at times be intense, the Lord has wisely and lovingly provided all we need to live a victorious life that is pleasing to our heavenly Father. As it says in Peter's second letter to his fellow believers, "By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life" (see 2 Peter 1:3-11 and 1 John 1:9).
I am going to end this entry now. It's ultimately going to be a future message for one of my upcoming Bible studies, Lord willing.
The subject is "War." The two kinds of wars a Christian has to deal with, and how the Lord provides for us the sure victory we have over both. And to this I say, "Yes, and Amen!"
D.B.
Yes, the same Savior, who loves us and died on the cross for our sins so that we who have placed our faith in Him now have the gift of eternal life, has also called us to "fight a good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12). Likewise, we are commanded to "endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3).
That's reality. I know this, not only by reading the Scriptures, but from experience. The life of a follower of the Lord Jesus involves both joy and peace, as well as stress and hardship as a result of the varying levels of spiritual warfare, which every Christian will at times have to confront.
And why is this? It's because we live in a fallen world where evil exists, and so does the devil. We also live with our fallen nature as well. And as such, our already corrupted nature cannot be fully eradicated until we are in heaven with Jesus.
Therefore, until then, the reality is we have two wars going on at the same time. The first is the war from the outside, where Satan and his demons fight against Christ's followers. While the second is the war from within. It is here where our own fallen nature seeks to regain control of our bodies, which have since become the property of the Holy Spirit (Romans 7:14-25; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19).
Yet the good news is that, while our battles may at times be intense, the Lord has wisely and lovingly provided all we need to live a victorious life that is pleasing to our heavenly Father. As it says in Peter's second letter to his fellow believers, "By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life" (see 2 Peter 1:3-11 and 1 John 1:9).
I am going to end this entry now. It's ultimately going to be a future message for one of my upcoming Bible studies, Lord willing.
The subject is "War." The two kinds of wars a Christian has to deal with, and how the Lord provides for us the sure victory we have over both. And to this I say, "Yes, and Amen!"
D.B.