We Do Not Fight Anymore

No more fighting, but resting: that is what the Christian Life, or rather Christ's life in us, is all about.

Yet Most people draw their misplaced inspiration from this verse:

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6: 12)

Now, let us read through this exhortation with some care. How do we intend to fight if we are called to lay hold onto eternal life at the same time? It does not make sense if we look at the English translation.

The original Greek communicates and exhortation to rest:

"Let the good fight of faith be fought."

What?

John gives us a better appreciation of this fight in his First Epistle:

"I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one." (1 John 2: 12)

and then John reiterates:

"I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." (1 John 2: 14)

For the young men, John writes that they have overcome the wicked one. They are not fighting still. They are not still fighting. They recognize that the fight if over and they are winners.

Paul writes about this consummate victory that we have in Christ Jesus:

"37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. " (Romans 8: 37)

We are more than conquerors because we do not have to right, but Jesus has granted us the victory through His death, resurrection, and forever ministry at the right hand of God our Father.

Fatherhood, adulthood in the Body of Christ is no longer about fighting, but about seeing how great Jesus is, and to know Him who has been from the beginning (1 John 2: 12-14)

The temptation for the longest time remained, however, for me to fight.

Now I know today that His Spirit fights, and wins. All I have to do is rest:

"16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." (Galatians 5: 16-18)

and

"10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore. . ." (Ephesians 6: 10-14)

Paul did not say "Fight". He did state and repeat: "Stand". It's a fight of not fighting.

One could also call it a work to rest:

"Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4: 11)

We do not fight anymore, and we should not feel condemned or shamed of the thoughts and feelings which fly through our heads.

The question then rises up again: "What are you going to do about it when you get angry again?"

The answer was as easy as pointing back to the fullness of the Cross:

"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10: 4-6)

The weapons are mighty through God, not through ourselves or our efforts. He is the one fighting. We do not have to feel condemned, for in Christ there is no condemnation (Romans 8: 1)

We do not fight anymore, because Jesus Christ fought the fight and won it at the Cross. He defeated sin, the world, and the Enemy

John also speaks of this glorious hyper-victory in Christ:

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1  John 4: 4)

and then

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (1 John 5: 4)

Why would we keep on fighting, since He has more than overcome every obstacle?