The Struggle

Our life is like a game of sports. It usually requires more than one participants competing either in teams or competing as individuals. 

Sports are usually governed by a set of rules or customs which serve to ensure fair competition, and allow consistent adjudication of the winner.

While sports are governed by a set of rules our struggle in life as Christians has written laws to follow which will be the sole basis of judgment in declaring who the winners are.

In Sports, the struggle is between man against another man. In life, the struggle is between the inner man and the outer man.

Rom 7:14-15  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that I do not; but what I hate, that I do.

It's an struggle between good and evil. The evil being the strongest in the world.

Jn 15:19  If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

But knowing the Gospel of Christ as the basis of judgment at the end of the race, we should strive to stay within the parameters of the Gospel to ensure victory. 

Rom 2:16  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of  men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

1 Jn 1:3  That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 

While it seems that life in this world is a journey wasted in favor of the spirit.

2 Cor 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man is wasted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 

Let us go on with our life unto perfection, knowing that we profit nothing from the flesh.

Jn 6:63  It is the spirit that reviveth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Helper

Nowadays, household chore seems to be the problem of the family. Washing the dishes for example, bridge the gap between siblings due to work schedules.

The so-called affluent find no problem with this for they can always hire a helper to do the job.

In the beginning, the first man Adam was given a helper to help him.

Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone: I will make him a help meet for him.

Gen 2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was its name.

Gen 2:20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowls of the air, and to every beast of the field: but for Adam there was not found a help meet for him.

Gen 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.

Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, he made woman, and brought her to the man.

With this man & woman relationship comes the idea of the term soul mate among lovers, derived may be from the fact that the formed man from the dust of the ground when breathed into the nostrils became a living soul.

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Although the word "soul" and "mate" have been frequently used in the Bible, there is no way that the soul has a mate because they are spirit with no flesh & bones, like the Angels of God.

Mt 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Lk 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

But if "soul mate" is biblically true, everyone should have a wife or a mate, but it is not always the case like Saint Paul who remained unmarried, same with our Lord Jesus and His other ministers like Titus and Timothy who were single according to the Bible.

1 Cor 7:8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they remain even as I.

The commandment is go ye and multiply so that helpers called as slaves or maids are not exempted to procreate.

Gen 30:9 When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah, her maid, and gave her Jacob for a wife.

Gen 30:10 And Zilpah, Leah's maid, bore Jacob a son.

But in this present situation where population growth is still increasing, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.

1 Cor 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

1 Cor 7:29 But this I say, brethren, The time is short. It remaineth, that both they that have wives, be as though they had none;

I mean, today, you dare touch your maid and you're a rapist or maybe a simple case of sexual harassment or malicious mischief.

Why the change in dealings with women as a wife?

Heb 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Lk 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

But Jesus, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. And by the Apostles who by the inspiration of the holy spirit, made a new law.

1 Tim 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Pleasure

War, family dispute, grievance, controversy, quarrel, fighting are just the end result of the wars fought within our body.

Jas 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even from your lusts that war in your members?

In the above instance, evidently, the flesh won against the spirit.

Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Remember that the Children of God don't wrestle against flesh and blood nor use force to enforce personal interest.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Killing will not save the body from eternal punishment, it is the doing of the flesh that we are to get rid of or kill. 

Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; lewdness, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

1 Cor 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother is a lewd person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with such person no not to eat.

The truth is, we must take wrong  and suffer ourselves to be defrauded by the so called brethren.

In a husband & wife relationship for example, each one has its own personal opinion unacceptable to the other. One has to give in for the issue to be resolved, otherwise something worst might happen. Giving in indeed is not a sign of being weak in the hope that he/she will realize later his/her wrong doings.

1 Cor 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

The resulting controversy however, grieve the Holy Spirit of God that might leave us groping in the dark.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemption.

There is no better things done by man under the sun. Everything is done in satisfying the lusts of the flesh.

Eccles 8:15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

Saving for incoming birthday, blessing of the house, feast in honor of whomsoever & such other vainly provisions are for the lusts of the flesh.

Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the lusts of flesh.

Even at this instance alone we will know who is the children of God & who is not. For they that loveth pleasure are the children of the devil.

1 Jn 3:9 Whoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

1 Jn 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Satan

The hardest news and quite disturbing is the agony of one who knowest he is guilty of doing the worst wicked thing. Satan is one freakin shit example of what I am saying because he is already judged.

Jn 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

For his revenge, the Devil came down from heaven as a roaring lion, walketh about on earth, seeking whom he may devour.

Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down to you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

He will become the father of all lies where many will follow and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will be turned to fables and inventions of men.

Jn 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Satan is very much around, tempting and testing every angle of deception. Beware of this deception, you may be clean today and unclean tomorrow.

Lk 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest: and finding none, he saith, I will return to my house whence I came out.

Lk 11:25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.

Lk 11:26 Then he goeth and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

The reason why I am asking to myself sometimes, why? What happen to this caring, loving and responsible man turning himself into a son of the devil? Why rape & kill an innocent girl? Isn't it that you are commanded to love your neighbors, even enemies? Is there an escape to this evil trap of lust?

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.

Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary to each other; so that ye cannot do the things that you would want.

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he heareth us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired from him.

1 Jn 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God, sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God, keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

1 Jn 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Thanks be to God. To God be the glory....

Loot

Before its a fiery fight. Man against man, kingdom against kingdom, descendants against descendants. Fight between life and death against flesh and blood. The winner will plunder everything including wife, sons & daughters and servants of the loser.

Those who are with the Lord are of great advantage so they are commanded to give to their brethren and to the Levites (the priest at that time) 10% of the loot including the income derived from it.

Josh 22:8 and spoke to them, saying, “Return with much riches to your tents, with very much livestock, with silver, with gold, with bronze, with iron, and with very much clothing. Divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.”

Even the Levites who received the 10% of the loot will give the 10% of the 10% to the lord.

Neh 10:38 And the priest, the descendant of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes; and the Levites shall bring up a tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the rooms of the storehouse.

Now, is the 10% still applicable?

Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

And this is the new law by our new priest Jesus Christ.

2 Cor 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

For there will be no priest that will again rise because Christ has an unchangeable priesthood.

Heb 7:24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

How about the fiery fight against flesh and blood, is it still applicable?

Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

We don't struggle physically but to reason and righteousness. Can we fight Satan and his cohorts with deadly weapons like guns or spears? Remember that they are eternal because they are spirits.

Because of this, we should put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. This is what we all suppose to have as a faithful Christian.

Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Eph 6:15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Eph 6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Eph 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

And Apostle Paul said.

Eph 6:19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Eph 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Nostrils

Are we not all lived because of the breathed made by God on our nostrils?

Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

But why did the Scripture stops us from trusting a man whose breath is in his nostrils?

Isaiahs 2:22 Sever yourselves from such a man, Whose breath is in his nostrils; For of what account is he?

Because if anyone lives according to the flesh are considered dead in the Spirit.

1 Timothy 5:6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.

These are the works of the flesh.

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Those who continue to live in pleasure, although breathing in the nose, are all dead so we are commanded to stop trusting in them or even mingle or eat with them. So the inner man who lives within your heart will not be afflicted, overpowered or subdued.

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a miserable man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.