Articles
Warrior Spirit - 7.21.2024 Bulletin
Warrior Spirit
If the events of July 13th taught the American people anything it’s that Donald Trump possesses a warrior spirit. He continues to fight despite all the attacks on him, which now includes an attack on his life. Many would have backed down, but he hasn’t. His great passion for this country and its citizens fuels him to continue. While there are many great spiritual warriors in the Bible one stands out above the rest, the apostle Paul. Now in no way am I saying Donald Trump and Paul on equal levels or even close to one another, let me make that clear. I’m not saying Trump should be in the hall of faith, or someone we should look up to as a spiritual leader. Paul is someone we can look to as a spiritual example. He is someone who endured great hardships and continued to fight for Christ.
In 2 Corinthians 11.16-33 Paul lists many of his sufferings as an apostle. He mentions imprisonments, near death beatings, lashes, being stoned, shipwrecks, danger from different sources, sleepless nights, going hungry, and exposure to the elements. To consider this list of what Paul went through for the sake of the gospel is truly humbling, and incredible. Paul continued to fight; he never gave up. What we face in terms of tribulations pales in comparison. I fear that those who consider themselves to be the strongest of Christians today might begin to have doubts halfway through this list and may not be able to make it through the entire list if they were to face the same. Which is something we must consider about our faith. To what length are we willing to go for the cause of Christ? Do we have the warrior spirit necessary to keep pressing on even when the times get tough. For us today if we face rejection, ridicule, slander, ostracization from friends or co-worker, miss out on opportunities for social or sporting events, overlooked for promotions etc. What is that compared to what Paul went through? We must continue to fight for Christ to expand the borders of His kingdom even in the face of tribulation.
Where did Paul find the strength to have a warrior spirit? From Christ. Paul wrote to the Philippian brethren “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (4.13). It was through Christ that Paul was able to have the strength necessary to accomplish the will of Christ and His purpose. Hebrews tells us “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (13.8). Therefore, we too can find the same strength Paul found in Christ that is needed to accomplish the will of Christ and carry out His purpose. It is only through Christ that we gain the necessary strength, without Christ it is impossible. “That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3.16). The inner man is the rational self, the true person, which includes our heart, mind, consciences, and wills. The strengthening of the inner man does not magically come upon us, we must seek it out. The way we find strength and Christ today is through God’s word. The more we read and meditate, the stronger our faith gets, and the more spiritually mature and stronger we become. We need this power from God to face trials and temptations but to also carry our God’s will, but we must put forth the effort if we want to gain the strength.
Paul was able to maintain his warrior spirit to get through all the tribulation because there is peace in Christ in addition to strength. Everything he went through was ultimately worth it because of the reward he would gain. “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead… I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3.10-11, 14). When a person knows the peace found in Christ, they become less concerned about what happens in the physical world. God is in control, and nothing happens outside of His purview. We can have confidence knowing everything that happens in this physical world is a part of God’s plan. More than that we know working for Christ has a reward far greater than anything the world has to offer and is worth anything we might go through for the cause of Christ. “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? … In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56.4, 11). Our aim should be to help others find and know this same peace. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4.7).
Let’s all strive to have a warrior spirit that is always fighting for the cause of Christ, despite what man can do to us to help others find Christ and the peace He has to offer.
DS
- Glad_Tidings_7.21.2024_PDF.pdf (4.08 MB)
