Year of Realization - Day 70: We will have to fight for it.

“The king’s decree gave the Jews in every city authority to unite to defend their lives. They were allowed to kill, slaughter, and annihilate anyone of any nationality or province who might attack them or their children and wives, and to take the property of their enemies.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God through Jesus Christ has given us—not only the ability to fight—but the responsibility to do so.

For nearly 40 years I was over a women’s ministry. What I always wanted to see for the women who were under my teaching was that they become warriors, warrior princesses if you will, in the Kingdom of God. Some didn’t like it, but most did. In any case, it is what I have to give; it is what the Lord has put in me to say. But, make no mistake, the imperative to fight (in terms of our Christian walk) is for all Christians.

Indeed the apostle Paul talked about the armor of God; and I’m sure we are all aware that armor is meant for battle.

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all 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 still be standing firm.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We are even given special spiritual weapons with which we are to fight the battles we will face.

“We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Ultimately, the main objective of our battle strategy in this life is to keep the faith. And, my dear friend, keeping the faith won’t always be easy; you must fight for it!

“Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭AMP‬‬

You see, we fight to KEEP our faith and BECAUSE of our faith. Faith is essential in our fighting as it provides a shield against the fiery arrows the enemy tries to thrust into our very souls.

“Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭16‬ ‭AMP‬‬

In our opening scripture we see that the new decree sent out to all the Jews says that they have the right to fight when they are attacked. Bear in mind, the Jews who would choose not to fight, would, indeed, still lose their lives.

Just so, our New Covenant with God in Jesus Christ gives us the Good News that we don’t have to be destroyed by our sin. Jesus has paid the price for our freedom! But, if we refuse to fight and resist when the enemy comes against us, then we will fall far short of what God has prepared for us. Tragically, some who will not fight, will lose it all.

Oh, that we all will be able to say what the apostle Paul said just before his death:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Having received the Good News, let us never surrender as we fight the good fight to lay hold of what Christ has made possible for us to obtain!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#yearofrealization