Sometimes when we talk about...
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Sometimes when we talk about hymns of "Christian Soldiers," we are criticized as being
too militaristic. But each of those songs has some special meaning. "Soldiers Of Christ
Arise" includes "wrestle and fight and pray," and these words are important in a peace-
loving church.
What does it mean to wrestle? A dictionary definition includes a second meaning: "to struggle for mastery, to strive earnestly." That sounds a little more like what Paul is calling us to do. If you are earnest about the Christian life, there's a struggle. The temptation is to be lazy about Christian involvement.
Often, new believers sense the value of spiritual growth. Recently, in Russia, a seeking unbeliever spent four months of salary to buy a Bible. Most of us have more Bibles than we can use, and the cost to us for a new one would likely be about an hour's wage. Give as you can to support the distribution of Bibles in Russia.
We are also called to fight. Again, a dictionary definition of "fight" includes: "struggle, contest, as fight the good fight." Charles Wesley said, "From strength, to strength go on. Wrestle and fight and pray." We need to be those who, like soldiers, tread all the powers of darkness down and win the well-fought day.
What does it mean to wrestle? A dictionary definition includes a second meaning: "to struggle for mastery, to strive earnestly." That sounds a little more like what Paul is calling us to do. If you are earnest about the Christian life, there's a struggle. The temptation is to be lazy about Christian involvement.
Often, new believers sense the value of spiritual growth. Recently, in Russia, a seeking unbeliever spent four months of salary to buy a Bible. Most of us have more Bibles than we can use, and the cost to us for a new one would likely be about an hour's wage. Give as you can to support the distribution of Bibles in Russia.
We are also called to fight. Again, a dictionary definition of "fight" includes: "struggle, contest, as fight the good fight." Charles Wesley said, "From strength, to strength go on. Wrestle and fight and pray." We need to be those who, like soldiers, tread all the powers of darkness down and win the well-fought day.
