August 28, 2008

Dear friend,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

One famous battlefield general was asked how he expected to subdue an enemy army that was many times larger than his force. “We must kill them all,” he answered. “Every last man of them!” His determined and terrible words likely send chills down our spines. What fierce and warlike thinking. Few of us could stomach the work, but I suppose that is what makes an effective general during a time of desperate conflict.

Thankfully, we are not all called to be warriors in this fashion. However, each Christian is called to another kind of battle. It is a battle against sin. Our King Jesus, who has died for our sin, is calling us to war. Having been set free from the eternal effect of sin (death and hell) the Christian is called to attack sin in his or her life which such vigor that it dies! This is not a battle against other people, rather it is an internal fight through which the believer turns away from those things that are displeasing to God and becomes increasingly more like the perfect sinless Savior. What kind of warrior are you? Are you fierce and determined in the battle against your sin?

“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming” (Col. 3:4-6).

One more thing - you are not outnumbered, because your all-powerful Savior Jesus is on your side!

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder