As followers of Jesus Christ we have a responsibility to go on growing in grace as long as the Lord leaves us in this world. Sometimes Christians can be caught up in the mistaken view that we are able to be “super Christians” while in this life.
Some phases have been invented in the last couple of hundred years that promote the wrong view of living for the Lord. We hear about the “higher life” the “deeper life” the “victorious life”, and so on. These expressions are lacking in Scripture but promote the notion of rising up as Christians to a plateau and go on living at cruising altitude.
The imagery of the Christian life is of a battle, and we are called on to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12).
In Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV we read:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God,
so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God,
so that when the day of evil comes,
you may be able to stand your ground,
and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then,
with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
and with your feet fitted with the readiness
that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
with which you can extinguish
all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.”
Do not give up the fight of faith because you have not grown in grace as much as you desire, but press the battle every day and the Captain of your salvation will fight alongside you and give you the final victory.
Make this year the greatest one yet for you as you advance for the Lord.
You are on the winning side and Satan is an already defeated enemy.
All you need will come from the hand of a Sovereign God Who will not allow the enemy of your soul to win.
