The Battle Never Ends
February 1, 2016
1 Peter 4:12 “Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.”
Billy Graham tells of visiting Romania under Communist rule in 1985 and seeing the magnificent frescoes decorating the walls of the churches. Because most people couldn’t read, the Bible stories were depicted in elaborate frescoes on walls. Graham writes about one piece of artwork showing people struggling upward on a ladder. They were climbing a staircase to heaven. Surrounding them were angels, encouraging and helping. Below were demons pulling them down, grasping at their heels and trying to drag them into the fires of hell. Billy Graham remarks that this reminded him of the continual cosmic conflict that all Christians experience. In the Spirit world there is a battle going on that we can’t see. And it is played out in our earthly circumstances. Our struggles are a reflection of a much bigger struggle. The Christian life is a battlefield. Too many of us think once we are saved, that life will now be one big playground. The Bible promises trouble. The key of spiritual victory is staying close to God. Jesus said in John 16:33, “In the world you will have trouble but here is the good news. Be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.”
Billy Graham tells of visiting Romania under Communist rule in 1985 and seeing the magnificent frescoes decorating the walls of the churches. Because most people couldn’t read, the Bible stories were depicted in elaborate frescoes on walls. Graham writes about one piece of artwork showing people struggling upward on a ladder. They were climbing a staircase to heaven. Surrounding them were angels, encouraging and helping. Below were demons pulling them down, grasping at their heels and trying to drag them into the fires of hell. Billy Graham remarks that this reminded him of the continual cosmic conflict that all Christians experience. In the Spirit world there is a battle going on that we can’t see. And it is played out in our earthly circumstances. Our struggles are a reflection of a much bigger struggle. The Christian life is a battlefield. Too many of us think once we are saved, that life will now be one big playground. The Bible promises trouble. The key of spiritual victory is staying close to God. Jesus said in John 16:33, “In the world you will have trouble but here is the good news. Be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.”