Worth Fighting For?
We all have much that is dear to us. There are so many who spend their time focused on the material things of life and what it takes to attain these. Many are fiercely devoted to things such as jobs, or financial or social status, but few, if any of these things are lasting and therefore, not worth fighting for. 2Peter 3:10 informs us that the things of this world are going to end when the world ends and cannot be carried into eternity. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
However, there is something we all have that will exist beyond the time of this earth and all that God has created. That is our soul. The soul of man is worth fighting for. Jesus knew that many would not fight for their souls, and some would even trade their souls rather than follow Him. As Jesus spoke to His disciples in Matthew 16:26 He pointed this out. He said: For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
When something is worth fighting for, it is worth giving one’s all; 100% of one’s effort to keep it safe and protect it. Perhaps this is why God gave us all the commandments that are designed to help us fight for our souls. In Matthew 22:37 when asked what the great commandment was, Jesus reply was: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This sounds like one putting all they have into serving God and doing His Will for their own benefit. We also may need to be reminded that what God has commanded us to do is not too hard, and if we truly love Him, we will do all of them. The Spirit had the apostle John write this to the church in 1John 5:3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
We must also remain aware that we each must always continue to fight as there are many things which could possibly cost one their soul. This is the warning of 2Corinthians 2:11 the Spirit had Paul give the church in Corinth. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. One such device is temptations. As we all face these, we should be reminded that we are not alone in temptation. These same brethren had been told this in 1Corinthians 10:13-14, the first letter the Spirit had Paul write to them. And, they were also told what they could accomplish with this assistance from God. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. Idolatry is a sin. Sin is transgression of God’s Law. Any sin not repented of will cost one their soul.
Because the soul is worth fighting for, the Spirit had Peter warn the church in 1Peter 2:11 so all the members would continue to fight to keep their souls pure. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; One of the best ways to abstain from “fleshly lusts” is to take the inspired advice delivered to young Timothy in 2Timothy 2:3-5. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. If we are going to fight for our souls and expect to be victorious, we must fight in accordance to the Law of God.
To be knowledgeable in the Law of God is to be prepared or armed for the battles which we must fight to protect our souls. This is perhaps why the Spirit had Peter in 2Peter 3:18, close out his final letter with the admonition to know all God’s Word we can. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. We can be fully prepared to fight for our souls. It is this knowledge that God has given us which enables us to fight for our souls. 2Peter 1:3-4 shows that God has provided us with all we need to fight. These verses also tell us of the great and precious promises God has for those willing to fight for their souls. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Is your soul worth fighting for? The most precious thing God created was a soul in man. It means so much to Him, Romans 5:8 tells us He sent His Son to die on the cross of Calvary to purchase the church. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He’s done His part – Are you ready to do yours? Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life (1Timothy 6:12). Obey the gospel today and never give up. Your soul is worth fighting for.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
