Slide by Judy Lee

Ever feel like life is a battle? Well, that’s because it is. The apostle Paul compares the genuine Christian life to an aggressive fight. He ends his letter to the Ephesian church with the reminder that the war of wars never ends on this side of heaven. This talk of battle seems a bit abrupt at superficial glance (although a careful reading of Ephesians would have tipped off the reader to what’s coming). The tail end of Ephesians 5 speaks of marriage, parenting, forgiveness, the workplace, and communication — common every day living stuff. Then in chapter 6, the shofar is blown and there is an urgent call us to arm ourselves for war. Why? Paul is simply pointing out the fact that what makes each of these dimensions of life difficult is that each one is a spiritual battleground where the Great War between the Spirit and sinful nature takes place. It would do well not to blame other people or circumstances. Wise is the man who understands these verses and sees that all of life-its events and relationships-is hard because the context of life is a violent war.

Christians will wage war against their sinful inclinations (or desires, if you will) that is tempted by the worldly system and the prince of the air. But we need not whimper in the metaphorical corner because of the incredible armor that God has given to us. What Paul goes on to illustrate is nothing short of the courageous “300″ type soldier dressed in complete battle garb (Ephesians 6:11-17). Then in verse 18, he seeks to establish the principle source of strength in which the warfare is to be successfully to be fought.

Charles Hodge’s commentary on the verse is insightful:

It is not the armor or weapon which make the warrior. There must be courage and strength; and even then he often needs help. As the Christian has no resources of strength in himself, and can succeed only as aided from above, the apostle urges the duty of prayer.  

Prayer is absolutely necessary because an armor does not make one a warrior. Shepherd boy David’s young frame could not hold up Saul’s armor, but he was clothed with the presence of God. Saul was not half the warrior David was because he lacked David’s heart. I need to pray so that I can receive the heart of the Divine Warrior who fought for me on the cross and who is fighting for me and through me today.

As I head into the day, numerous battle moments await me. So by the grace of God, I resolve to fight my selfishness in my relationships–to minister and not manipulate people, to help and not complain to my wife, to teach and not yell at my kids, to pray for/counsel and not ignore the difficult people, to respect and treasure those over me. I also resolve to fight my sinful desires to build my kingdom and not God’s Kingdom–to have a pure heart toward God, to invest my time and energy in eternal things, to not envy other’s gifts and talents, to be faithful to my calling. 

One day, when I meet the Warrior-King face to face, how glad I will be if I could hear him say, “Well done. You’ve fought the good fight and finished the race.”