Winning the Battle of Life
by Dave Brown
Return to the Pilgrims in the World page
Everyone wants to be a winner. You might not be a great athlete or superior in anything else -- but do you know that you can win the greatest battle of all? The battle of life. Let us see what the bible has to say about this battle and how we can win it.
What is this Battle?
The bible teaches that Christians are in a battle, and we are often referred to as soldiers.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:
8 henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.
Paul had won many battles and ultimately he was confident that he would win the war and receive a "crown of righteousness." The fight takes two parts, and yet is against the same enemy. It involves the struggles within ourselves to allow the Holy Spirit to rid us of sin. Romans 9 tell of Paul's struggle in this regard. The Holy Spirit helps us win this battle when we read and meditate upon the words that He delivered from God and Jesus (John 14, 15, 16 and Acts 1). As we allow the Holy Spirit and Jesus to govern our lives, they drive out the influences of Satan. We should always keep in mind that Satan is the ultimate enemy, and our lives will either be governed by the influences of the Holy Spirit or by Satan -- the decision belongs to each one of us individually. Being part of a sound local church is essential to our faithfulness (Hebrews 10:25), but let us never think that being a member of some organization is a substitute for our personal faithfulness.
Romans 8:2-5
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Another of the many passages throughout the New Testament that refer to the battles is ...
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Timothy's faith was tried by severe persecution. In Heb 13:23, it is said: "Know ye that our brother Timothy hath been set at liberty." The persecution these Christians suffered is described as God's chastening in the previous chapter ...
Hebrews 12:11
All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, (even the fruit) of righteousness.
And yet another exhortation:
2 Timothy 2:3
Suffer hardship with (me), as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
This battle is not won by default or by getting on the right bus (joining the right organization). To win it we must become soldiers of the cross and prepare ourselves for battle.
The Preparation
Two things are required to prepare ourselves for the battle. The first is described in ...
2 Timothy 2:4
No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of (this) life; that he may please him who enrolled him as soldier .
Jesus emphasized this in his command to Nicodemus -- that it was essential to be born again in John 3:1-17. A commentary that explains what it means to be born again is given in Romans 6 ...
Romans 6:2-9
2 We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?
3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have become united with (him) in the likeness of his death, we shall be also (in the likeness) of his resurrection;
6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with (him), that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin;
7 for he that hath died is justified from sin.
8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him;
9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death no more hath dominion over him.
Being "in Christ" is a new life of service in the army of God against the onslaughts of Satan (Rev. 19:19). But just being in this army does not give us the victory. We also need to arm ourselves with the spiritual armor of God, and understand its effective use.
Ephesians 6:13-18
13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil (one).
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
This preparation guarantees the victory. In fact, we can start celebrating it right away.
The Victory Must be Now
Romans 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We are more than conquerors NOW ...
Mark 10:29-30
29 Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel's sake,
30 but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life .
That is right! Not only do we receive 100-fold now in this life, but there is also the eternal victory that belongs to the faithful.
1 John 5:4
4 For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, (even) our faith.
A Picture of Our Eternal Victory
Excerpts from the last chapter of the bible; just reading it could be the first chapter of our journey through eternity. Please read all of Revelation 21-22 when you have the time, and meditate heavily upon it.
Revelation 22:1-4
22:1 And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,
2 in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve (manner of) fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants shall serve him;
4 and they shall see his face; and his name (shall be) on their foreheads.
Revelation 22:5-10
5 And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6 And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angels to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass.
7 And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John am he that heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel that showed me these things.
9 And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets, and with them that keep the words of this book: worship God.
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.
Revelation 22:11-21
11 He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still.
12 Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is.
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
14 Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right (to come) to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
15 Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loves and makes a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book:
19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
20 He who testifies these things saith, Yea: I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with the saints. Amen.
Someone once said: "I have read the last chapter ... and it has a happy ending." Put your faith in God; you will never regret it. Click here to learn about the first steps of obedience.
Return to the Pilgrims in the World page
What is this Battle?
The bible teaches that Christians are in a battle, and we are often referred to as soldiers.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:
8 henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.
Paul had won many battles and ultimately he was confident that he would win the war and receive a "crown of righteousness." The fight takes two parts, and yet is against the same enemy. It involves the struggles within ourselves to allow the Holy Spirit to rid us of sin. Romans 9 tell of Paul's struggle in this regard. The Holy Spirit helps us win this battle when we read and meditate upon the words that He delivered from God and Jesus (John 14, 15, 16 and Acts 1). As we allow the Holy Spirit and Jesus to govern our lives, they drive out the influences of Satan. We should always keep in mind that Satan is the ultimate enemy, and our lives will either be governed by the influences of the Holy Spirit or by Satan -- the decision belongs to each one of us individually. Being part of a sound local church is essential to our faithfulness (Hebrews 10:25), but let us never think that being a member of some organization is a substitute for our personal faithfulness.
Romans 8:2-5
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Another of the many passages throughout the New Testament that refer to the battles is ...
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Timothy's faith was tried by severe persecution. In Heb 13:23, it is said: "Know ye that our brother Timothy hath been set at liberty." The persecution these Christians suffered is described as God's chastening in the previous chapter ...
Hebrews 12:11
All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, (even the fruit) of righteousness.
And yet another exhortation:
2 Timothy 2:3
Suffer hardship with (me), as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
This battle is not won by default or by getting on the right bus (joining the right organization). To win it we must become soldiers of the cross and prepare ourselves for battle.
The Preparation
Two things are required to prepare ourselves for the battle. The first is described in ...
2 Timothy 2:4
No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of (this) life; that he may please him who enrolled him as soldier .
Jesus emphasized this in his command to Nicodemus -- that it was essential to be born again in John 3:1-17. A commentary that explains what it means to be born again is given in Romans 6 ...
Romans 6:2-9
2 We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?
3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have become united with (him) in the likeness of his death, we shall be also (in the likeness) of his resurrection;
6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with (him), that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin;
7 for he that hath died is justified from sin.
8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him;
9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death no more hath dominion over him.
Being "in Christ" is a new life of service in the army of God against the onslaughts of Satan (Rev. 19:19). But just being in this army does not give us the victory. We also need to arm ourselves with the spiritual armor of God, and understand its effective use.
Ephesians 6:13-18
13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil (one).
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
This preparation guarantees the victory. In fact, we can start celebrating it right away.
The Victory Must be Now
Romans 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We are more than conquerors NOW ...
Mark 10:29-30
29 Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel's sake,
30 but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life .
That is right! Not only do we receive 100-fold now in this life, but there is also the eternal victory that belongs to the faithful.
1 John 5:4
4 For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, (even) our faith.
A Picture of Our Eternal Victory
Excerpts from the last chapter of the bible; just reading it could be the first chapter of our journey through eternity. Please read all of Revelation 21-22 when you have the time, and meditate heavily upon it.
Revelation 22:1-4
22:1 And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,
2 in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve (manner of) fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants shall serve him;
4 and they shall see his face; and his name (shall be) on their foreheads.
Revelation 22:5-10
5 And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6 And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angels to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass.
7 And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John am he that heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel that showed me these things.
9 And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets, and with them that keep the words of this book: worship God.
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.
Revelation 22:11-21
11 He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still.
12 Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is.
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
14 Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right (to come) to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
15 Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loves and makes a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book:
19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
20 He who testifies these things saith, Yea: I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with the saints. Amen.
Someone once said: "I have read the last chapter ... and it has a happy ending." Put your faith in God; you will never regret it. Click here to learn about the first steps of obedience.
Return to the Pilgrims in the World page