It is my prayer today that this morning’s writing will help us better understand how to apply God’s Word in our everyday situations. Remember this…there is never a need to ever fight the devil, for Jesus already defeated the devil. In 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul tells us to 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. (KJV). Faith is what is needed in our lives at all times. Some say, “I’m going to fight sin.”
There is no need to do that, either, for Jesus has the very cure for sin, and that is JESUS. …as stated in Hebrews 9:26, And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice (NLT). Yes, His blood was shed for all to believe and receive; Jesus came to be both Lord and Savior, for those near and far off. His blood covers a multitude of sins. He sacrificed Himself to put away sin…so, there really isn’t a sin problem; just a sinner problem, for when you get the sinner to Jesus, Jesus cures that. So, the ONLY FIGHT that the Christian needs to fight is the “good fight of faith.” Jesus, already provided all we need to live the Christian life. Read His Word, believe His Word, and by faith, receive in your heart what His Word is saying, LIFE.
While in the hospital, my twin sister, Kathy, looked up at me and said, “don’t give up”. I believe she knew her time was coming to an end here on earth. She passed into eternity two days later. The evening before my dear mother left this world to meet Jesus, she said to me, “Paul, keep the faith”. Yes, these two phrases will ALWAYS be etched in my mind…” Keep the faith and don’t give up”. Yes, we all will meet eternity one day, and as Apostle Paul stated in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful And now the prize awaits me–the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing (NLT). May this be said of all of us!
There are enemies in this fight of faith. Let’s take a look at some of them to better understand how to ACT on God’s Word. Apply God’s Word and Do God’s Word.
Hindrances to Faith: A lack of knowledge of God’s Word. Romans 10:17, So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (KJV). The New Living Translation says it like this; “Yet faith comes from listening to this message of good news—the Good News about Christ”. So, we can say that what people actually need is knowledge of God’s Word…allow the Word to enter into your mind, body, and soul; believe the Word, then faith automatically comes.
Trying to believe: So many times, you hear Christians say that they are “trying to have faith” or “trying to believe.” All that is necessary is to ACT on what God says in His Word. For if we know that the Word of God is true and act on it, according to God’s will, it will become a reality in our lives. Yes, acting on what we know…the very truth of the Word of God, the knowledge of the Word of God. When the light of God’s Word is revealed, there comes faith.
As David states in Psalms 119:130, the teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand (NLT). Get the Word of God in you, and you will be changed…faith will increase, as you believe you will receive. FAITH is simply acting on God’s Word. Another way to put it is that FAITH is acting like God’s Word is true.
Mental Agreement: To mentally agree on that, the Bible is true, does no good until you act on or apply it. When you act on God’s Word for yourself, it is only then that it becomes a reality to you. For it is only when you act on God’s Word that you are exercising FAITH. For example: you can hold to the death, burial and resurrection truth of Jesus Christ as a great doctrine, but it will not mean a thing to you until you can believe in your heart and say with your mouth, “Jesus went to the cross for me. Jesus died for me. Jesus was raised from the dead for me! Jesus arose victorious over death, hell, and the grave for me…yes, He did it all for me! Yes, Jesus arose victorious over Satan. Therefore, Satan has no dominion over me! Yes, I am free! Free from sin. There is NO place for Satan in my life! With that said, do not allow any sin to have part of your life.
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