Hint: Our reason for existing, in the first place, is to bring glory to God and to fight for His honor.

In last week’s column, we discussed what faith is all about. But one could ask, why bother exercising faith toward God in the first place?

Glad you asked …

So, let’s back up further and ask why do I exist? Why did God create humanity, especially considering our penchant for rebelling against Him?

Turns out, it is not to live for ourselves, but to 1) bring glory to God, and 2) fight for His honor. Only then will we achieve our purpose and enjoy true fulfillment.

While it may be commendable by the world’s standards to grow up and “be successful,” have a family, retire comfortably, and babysit our grandchildren, etc. — if that is all we do with our lives — we will have missed the whole point.

After all, Christians belong to a Kingdom that is not of this world, and we should live accordingly.

We are not alone in the battle.

The Book of Hebrews, in Hebrews 12:1-2, paints a uniquely inspiring picture of a Christian’s life:

“Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith.”

What an exciting scene! And we thought no one cared about us.

That “great cloud of witnesses” is all the saints that have come before us over the millennia and were at one time on the “spiritual gridiron,” just as we are now.

Like at a football game, there are fans cheering for the home team (Christians), and fans cheering for the visitors (God’s enemies), all fighting for dominance.

Paul was well acquainted with the stiff opposition we all face if we are to put points on the board for God. From Ephesians 6:12:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Christian Blind Spot

Trouble is, in our modern age, with its cushy amenities, Christians (in Western industrial countries) have been lulled into a false sense of security and comfort.

We don’t realize that we are in the middle of an active war zone in the spirit. But our fight is not physical, it is spiritual.

Again Paul, from 2 Corinthians 10:3-5:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ …”

The physical component of the above battles is reflected in our current news outlets, academic institutions, politics, family life, entertainment, culture, etc.

Spiritual powers are acting behind all of these for better or worse for humanity.

If you are a Christian, you are called to do battle in your back yard as well-equipped soldiers, as explained in Ephesians 6:13-18:

“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit …”

How does a created being, YOU, honor its creator, GOD?

From 1 Peter 1:7-9: “… so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Believe in Him with all your heart.

How About You?

The bullets are real here, folks. Families are falling apart, our culture is circling the drain, our youngsters lack direction, our world is at war. And behind it all are malevolent spirits.

It’s up to each one of us to play our part. Do you want to make the angels sing?

Exercise your faith toward God and don’t fall for the Devil’s schemes, “… there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

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