Why Fight?

God lives and works today. He gave up his only son, Jesus Christ, so that our lives might be filled with redemption and victory. And that means victory over our bitterness, haughtiness, and selfishness.

How can we become free from these sins that so possess us and enslave us? Today's meditation by Basilea Schlink is a testimony from someone who did become free. If you only knew how miserable I am. Just being with other members of my family or with my colleagues at work drives me up the wall.

I become irritated by the smallest things. I often think, and I'm sure the other person senses it, if I only had the chance I'd really give him a piece of my mind. I'm really not very happy this way, but how can I change? It was the same way for me years ago.

At that time, I once really let loose at someone because I was so irritated. But when I was alone again, I began to cry bitterly. Why? All of a sudden, I could picture Jesus, who had died to redeem me.

Jesus shed his blood so that I might become like him, the Son of God. Wasn't he the Lamb of God who was gentle and lowly? But here I was, fighting for my rights, irritated and very angry. I wondered what the reason was.

And I recognized to my great sorrow that Jesus had become not much more than a mathematical formula for me. I believed that he had died for my redemption, but I did not live with him as my living Lord. At that time, I suddenly remembered the verse from the first letter of Peter.

Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. And I realized how much I was in danger spiritually. I understood that I have an enemy who is continually on my heels.

I can only be helped if I fight the good fight of faith. Otherwise, I'm lost. And what was this fight like? At that time, I said to myself, death to my sin, to my irritation, egoism, and unlovingness.

Get out into the light. No more kid gloves for these sins. I went to a spiritual counselor and called my sins by name.

I prayed for forgiveness. But at the same time, I realized the root of my sin was still in me. My sinful character must be attacked in a battle of faith.

So every day, I took at least 15 minutes to bring Jesus these particular personality traits. And now I can testify full of thanksgiving. It's true.

We remain weak, sinful people, as long as we're here on earth. But Jesus doesn't call himself a redeemer in vain. I've really experienced over the course of years how the Lord releases us from our sinful bondages.

Why fight? In order to shine forth the image of Jesus, the mighty Redeemer, to His glory. He stretches out His strong right hand. Our foes before Him cannot stand.

And they are all defeated. Alleluia! Alleluia! You have been listening to a program written by Basilea Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan. To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website, www.canaan.org. That's K-A-N-A-A-N dot org.

If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet. If you do not have access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address. God bless you.