“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:1).
The verse of the day is the opening to the passage describing the armor of God. The Apostle Paul instructs the church how to fight against the devil.
There is a problem. The problem has to do with how many of us think of victory. Let me explain.
Victory has already been won by Jesus on the cross and the empty tomb. And the fullness of this victory will be manifest when Christ returns.
The problem with how I think about victory is that I think that I should experience this fullness of victory right now. That’s why I get frustrated when I have to confess for the same sins over and over and over and over and over and over.
The reason why this thinking is wrong is because this is a victory that Christ has already won, and a victory that will come to its full manifestation when Christ returns.
In the meantime, in my lifetime and your’s, until Jesus returns again, what victory looks like is never quitting. You see, if you are struggling with sin, that’s great news! That means that the Holy Spirit is working in you. You are supposed to struggle with sin. It would be a travesty if you were okay with the presence of sin in your life. So, in the meantime, until Christ returns, God isn’t disappointed with us because we are struggling and battling sin. God is absolutely delighted that sin makes us uncomfortable.
It’s when we give into sin, it’s when we accept sin, it’s quit fighting and struggling against sin that breaks God’s heart.
So, repeat sinners, hear the good news: you are supposed to be battling and struggling against sin. Keep at it. Never give up. Keep struggling. Keep battling. That is the proof that the Holy Spirit is working in you.
Praxis: Faith in Action 