I don’t know how you feel about boxing, some people like it and some people don't. I don’t know why they call it the “Sweet Science”, there’s nothing sweet or scientific about two people knocking each other silly! I certainly think that there are easier ways to make a living. However, I suppose the thing which fascinates us most about boxing is the almost mythical battle between the underdog and the favorite. One is a nice guy, the other is a bully; one is arrogant, the other is humble. One boxer does lots of boasting and bragging while the other stays focused on his mission. I don’t know a lot about boxing, but it seems to me that a successful fighter has to put his faith in more than just his fists. The successful fighter has to believe that the fight has been won before he ever steps into the ring. He has to have faith that he will prevail even when the odds are against him!
You know, it got me to thinking about the spiritual battles we fight as Christians. I believe that many of our battles - with much higher stakes - are won in the same way! The Apostle Paul says, "26 I therefore so run, but not with uncertainty; I so fight, but not as one that beateth the air. 27 But I keep control of my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (I Cor. 9:26-27) Paul was sharing his personal struggles to encourage Christians to have a determined and positive mindset as we go through difficult times. With faith in the Lord, we should be confident and determined even as we face our spiritual battles.
I don’t know what battles you may be faced with today, but I know the adversary is always the same for each of us! Let me urge you not to make the mistake of thinking that the key to your victory rests solely within yourself. It's not your personality or position; your status or education or even the fact that you’re living a good life that will assure your victory. There's no power in any of these things by themselves. The power lies within the hands of God! When we keep our hand in God's hand, when we encourage one another and pray for one another; we receive the power and blessing of the one who rules the universe.
Friends, the battles that we face in life are not usually won with our fist, but on our knees! Aren’t you glad that whatever battles we face, we can be confident that the victory is ours if we will obey the gospel and walk faithfully by His side.
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