Church family,
This Sunday I will conclude the series on Winning the Battle Within. Last Sunday we looked at Ephesians 4:25-32 and the encouragement to “embrace the life.” In our battle against the enemy, taking off the old and putting on the new life is very key to our success spiritually.
As a pastor for over 30 years, I have often seen people pray to accept Jesus as their Savior. Many times the life that follows does not reflect the life God has called His children to. Perhaps it is because of the lack of understanding of what new life in Christ means. Perhaps it is because of the lack of desire to really trust Jesus for more than Savior.
Think with me: those two reasons indicate the spiritual battle is going on right from the beginning of our decision to follow Christ. As we know, the enemy would prefer that we do not trust God’s provision. He would prefer that we continue to live life the way WE want to and not submit or surrender to the Lord. He wants us to think we can handle things. He wants us to believe we don’t really need to let God make changes in our life. 
As is often the case, we see many who “accept Christ as their Savior” continue to struggle with sin. Choices continue to be made on their own apart from the Lord. Often those choices lead to serious consequences that could have been avoided if they would have just sought the Lord’s will. These ‘infant Christians’ never seem to get on board with what new life in Christ means. The struggle overwhelms them, and they give up saying “What’s the use.”
On the other hand, there are also folks who have known Christ for a longer period of time and have gone through seasons of “letting their guard down” or simply a time of spiritual dryness or indifference when it comes to their walk with Jesus. Poor decisions get made during those times as well and consequences result.
Let me exhort you: embrace your life in Christ! Persevere! It matters for you, the body of Christ, and for God’s glory! As Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) says, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. In both cases mentioned above, or no matter where you are at, we cannot have true spiritual success on our own. As the verse above says, our strength to stand is in Christ!
This Sunday we will complete the preaching series looking at Ephesians 6:10-18. Paul gives the final key to our spiritual strength and success.
Until then…
Walking with you,
Pastor Brian