The Fight Of Faith

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. -  Ephesians 6:12

Do you struggle with temptation? Do you understand that it is not a struggle of your will or won't but it is a spiritual struggle that manifests itself in the physical, mental, and emotion - the events of the natural life we live. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

You are probably familiar with these verses and would tell me - yes you agree with them. But do you understand the implications?

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. - John 3:3-6

Child of God - you may look like your unsaved friends. You may work in the same place. Like the same sports or recreational activities. But you are as different from them as the sun is from the moon. While the moon has an orbit it only reflects the light from the sun. It is like a dead planet - but the sun has the source of light within. Because of the Spirit in you, you have a spiritual nature - which means that everything has a spiritual context. 

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? - 1 Corinthians 6:19

How you live your life in response to life's events on this planet after you are born again is a function of your spiritual health. Your spiritual health is dependent upon the practice of spiritual disciplines in your life. Prayer, reading the Word of God, staying connected to other likeminded Christians. I say like-minded because if the Christians you hang with have a small faith - are immature - then don't expect to get a lot of help from them. When I played individual sports - golf, racket ball, tennis, squash - even distance running - I always picked an opponent that was more skilled than I was so I would be challenged and strengthened. Besting my opponent was not my goal - besting myself was.

If all of this seems to be extreme - over the top to you then that is part of the problem - because it isn't either one. 

[You] have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer [you] who live, but Christ lives in [you]; and the life which [you] now live in the flesh [you] live by faith in the Son of God, who loved [you] and gave Himself for [you]. - Galatians 2:20

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone