The Struggle!

The Struggle! Brad Reiches Oct 8 2007 12:37AM Monday, October 8, 2007 GodThoughtsWired! "The Struggle" "One hand doing the work and the other holding the weapon." Nehemiah 4:17 Just a friendly reminder today..."Our struggle is not against flesh and blood" (Ephesians 6:12).  Effective Christian life and service requires two things: 1.  Doing all to the glory of God.  "Whether then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).  Practically, this involves periodic self-examination (see 2 Corinthians 13:4-6) to make sure that we are seeking God first in all things and keeping Him on the throne of our lives (see Matthew 6:33; Colossians 1:18).  The beauty of this, of course, is that we never have to do this perfectly...just willingly. 2.  Standing firm against the schemes of the devil. "Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).  It's way too easy to forget that an accurate Biblical worldview acknowledges both visible (physical) and invisible (spiritual) realities.  We have a pro-active enemy that seeks to steal from our lives and hinder the work and will of God.  "Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). "Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh" (2 Corinthians 10:3).  Brothers and sisters, if you are in Christ - you are at war today. "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly." John 10:10 I prefer the latter.