In the history of creation, Genesis Chapter 1, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, it was void, and darkness was on the face of the deep. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God divided the light from the darkness, calling the light “Day” and the darkness, “Night”.
Since the beginning of time, there’s been light and darkness. There is a season for all things, and with each new passing day, we are being given a choice on how we want to live.
What is in our hearts will be revealed in our daily wants and desires, and in the deeds that we choose to carry out. God is light, and in Him there is no darkness. As children of God, we are called to walk in the light.
John 3:19 states, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”
Choosing to Walk In the Light
When we choose to live our earthly lives in recognition of the unseen battles that rage all around us, I imagine we would be more careful about what we say and do. After all, if you consider, it’s not about flesh and blood; but, about principalities and powers of this unseen world, why wouldn’t you choose to live more wisely?
Are we choosing what we know is right, or are we making choices that are keeping us in the darkness?
I’ve had to consider many things in the last two years, as I’ve watched people who I love walk away into the shadowy places of this world. There is a spiritual battle raging all around us, and as the enemy diligently pursues us as prey, his objective is to turn off that light, dispelling all of our hope.
Why are there so many giving in to this spiritual darkness? Why are we not doing more to faithfully utilize our spiritual weapons, knowing this is how to win the battles that are being fought in these spiritual places?
What can we do to dispel this darkness, and bring more light into the world, instead?
Knowing God Through Love
As I continue to learn the importance of community, and that we, as a body of believers, are called to be the same, I can’t help but recall what John wrote, saying, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (John 4:4).
John 4:10-11 continues to state, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
Jesus has taught us that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends. Don’t just love those who love you; but, we are called to love our enemies, even as ourselves.
The answer is: love.
With all of the spiritual battles and wars going on out there, why do we, as believers of Christ, continue to fight among ourselves? Why are so many soldiers being left behind in the middle of the battlefield, alone, and as many others continue to fend for themselves?
C.T. Studd once shared, “Let us not glide through this world and then slip quietly into heaven, without having blown the trumpet loud and long for our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Let us see to it that the devil will hold a thanksgiving service in hell, when he gets the news of our departure from the field of battle.”
God is always present and always willing to help us in our hour of need. If God is for us, it really doesn’t matter who is against us. There is no power strong enough or circumstance dire enough to separate us from the love of God (see Romans 8:39).
Stand Tall and Have Faith
What are we choosing to do with our freedom? How are we choosing to live, and are we truly giving our life over to the Lord, and willingly? Are we choosing to live in a way that is honoring and pleasing to Him, or are we living for ourselves?
Are we so focused on our own prestige, or our own survival, that we’re leaving these wounded soldiers on the ‘field of battle’?
As much as I’d like to tell you I do all things perfectly, or that my life is perfect, flawless, and without any challenges, I would be lying. What I’ve learned, is that no one is perfect. No one will ever be able to live perfectly. We are all a work in progress, and thank God for Jesus!
I do know that it’s time for all of us to start acting more like Jesus. Sanctification is a process, and I am reminded everyday that there is much more for me to learn.
Philippians 2:12-13 says, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Read the Word of God. Pray over your family, your spouse, especially. Unity in the home is vitally important, because we are leading by example for this communion of believers, as we are each called to first demonstrate this in our own homes. Become one with the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to come in and show you what areas of your life need to be worked on.
Jeff Lasseigne also shared, “Radical faith is selfless in how we affect others, serious in how we deal with sin in ourselves, and sacrificial in living in holy and acceptable service to God.”
We are all this “work in progress,” and there is plenty of work to do. Trust in Him as He calls you out for battle, and that He’s given you the weapons of warfare to equip you. Walk out brave, and full of hope and in faith that He is Who He says He is, with full confidence of Who He is in you!
The march is on, brothers and sisters; so, into the light… let us follow Him.
Fight My Battles by Michael W. Smith
