Not a Game, But a Battle

Not a Game, But a Battle

Not a game but a battle
Life is not a game. But it is a battle. How come? Life is not about smelling roses or walking into sunsets. Neither it is about playing hard or finding your rightful place in the world. Life is not just about growing older and doing something meaningful before dying. Because the physical world is not all there is. We can’t forget about the spiritual realm. And that’s why life is not a picnic or a game. It is a battle.

For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. (Eph. 6:12, AMP)

We might want to deny this battle but nevertheless it is real. We might want to pretend there is no darkness or wickedness but that does not work. Life is not a game, but it is a battle. And we need to choose our side.

Kurt Bubna states in his  book Epic Grace, Chronicles of a Recovering Idiot “Every idiotic thing I’ve done can be traced back to either forgetting who I am in Christ or forgetting that I am in the thick of the battle on this planet for the sake of Christ.”

I second that. And I could say the same about pretty much anyone who I see messing up his/her life. It’s not just bad luck. It’s not a game, but a battle.

Anyhow, we don’t need to be afraid. Because Jesus did not only die on the cross for our sins but he also conquered the evil and the death by rising on the third day. Our God is almighty and grater than anything else in this world.

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4, AMP)

Yet we can’t be unaware what’s going on. We can’t forget that life is not a game but a battle. Because if we do, we are not ready to combat the enemy. If we sleep while in a battle, we will be attacked by the evil one.

Kurt writes “Whether we are a casualty of war or a conqueror in Christ has a lot to do with our alertness to the darkness that lurks all around us, and our awareness of the malicious schemes of the evil one.”

We need to stay alert. How do we do that?

By abiding in Christ.
By praying without ceasing.
By putting on the armor of God.
By gathering with brothers and sisters in Christ.
By trusting God.
By rejoicing in the freedom of Christ.
By staking our lives on the promises of God.
By waiting on the Lord.
By loving our neighbor.
By making a difference in the world.
By choosing the side of God.
By embracing the grace of God.
By basking in God’s goodness.
By praising God.

DAILY.

 

Gracious God,
Be praised forever and ever!
Thank your for sending Jesus
and defeating evil.
Help us to stay alert
and fight the good fight along the way.
Protect us from all evil.
Fill us with grace, peace, and joy.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: How do you fight the good fight?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you stay alert and choose God daily!

Image courtesy of Courtney Croxdale, design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Unite the Bloggersphere , Three Word Wednesday and #tellhisstory.

This post is part of #EpicGraceWednesdays. I am blogging through Kurt Bubna’s Epic Grace. Join me every Wednesday!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review (or any review for that matter). The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

4 thoughts on “Not a Game, But a Battle

  1. Oh yes, life is a battle. This made me think of the song, We Shall Overcome. With Him we will overcome. Loved this and really need to read this book. I’m so glad you are sharing your EPIC Wednesday posts with TWW.
    Many blessings,
    Beth

  2. It is a battle – it took me a long time to realize that – but to also realize He loved me enough to fight it for me and to be my real-life knight in shining armor! I want to use this quote with my older sons “Every idiotic thing I’ve done can be traced back to either forgetting who I am in Chris” – That is an awesome sentence!

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