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Paul is equating his ministry with a battle he fought
sincerely for God. He is a victorious soldier for
Christ. Today, the fight is still on but sometimes, in a
different manner and purpose. The notion of building up
our own kingdom has driven many away from the meaning
and spirit of the Kingdom. Boasting on our tradition
that goes back 2000 years ever never evens out with our
strength in the country. It is high time for a soul
searching for those all to see whose battle we are
fighting.
Paul says that he had fought a good fight. It means that
he was successful in his efforts. He went through many
sufferings and hardships; nevertheless all his
statements indicate his focus and thrust towards his
goal. No matter whatever hardships came his way, nothing
could stop him from finishing the task successfully
because he was fighting God’s battle.
The battle belongs to God. He says, “I will fight for
you; you need only to be still.” God fights His battles
in a supernatural way which goes beyond the
comprehension of man. His intention is not to kill but
to save.
The victory over Amalek during the journey to Canaan by
Israelites demonstrates how God fights His battles.
Amalek was on the stronger side with warriors and
weapons whereas Moses lifted up his hands towards heaven
and stood on the mountain. That brought the victory.
Furthermore, God declares a perpetual battle with Amalek
until He completely blots out the memory of Amalek from
under heaven. A small stone in the hands of a young boy,
David, was sufficient to kill the Goliath and take over
the army of Philistines.
God appoints a time to defeat and remove the forces of
evil. He wants his soldiers to endure the situation and
fight battle of God according to His laws and statutes.
For instance, God rejected Saul as the king of Israel
because of his disobedience and simultaneously anointed
David to be on the throne. After losing his anointing
and appointment, Saul still continued on the throne of
Israel for many years. During all those years God was
working on to replace him with David to be the king of
Israel. And the battle was on. David understood that God
appointed him to fight this battle as a worthy and
faithful soldier sticking on to God’s plan and purpose.
He got two opportunities to kill David by his hands and
grab the kingship of Israel. But David had the strong
conviction not to use his own methods to become the king
for he knew God is fighting the battle for him.
Furthermore, during this battle David was in the
mountains fleeing from the attack of Saul. The
circumstances made him mad for a moment; he yielded to
his emotions and decided to take revenge against Nabal.
We see here God sending an Abigail to stop him from that
and reminded him that David was fighting God’s battle.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God came to this world to
destroy the works of the evil one. The devil is claiming
that the world belongs to him. It is for God to cast him
out and give the earth to his saints to live on it.
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it
were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by
the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
John 18:36. God still continues His battle, of course,
not with earthly weapons.
Paul says, “The weapons we fight with are not the
weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine
power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and
every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to
make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:4 -5.
God fights the battle for those who trust and take
refuge in Him. Moreover, the earth and everything in it
belongs to God. It is for God to defeat and cast out the
devil who dominated the earth. God uses all those who
trust in Him and commit themselves to fight this battle
of God. Many are led astray because they fight their own
battles with their own weapons. God is faithful to take
care of the battle inside and outside of us. Therefore,
let us not fight our battles with the worldly weapons.
Walking in His ways and obeying His commands are
sufficient for us to be victorious in this battle for
God fights this battle.
Paul says, “Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction
in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so
that by following them you may fight the good fight”, 1
Tim 1:18.
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