January 13, 2016
Carefully choose your battles. That's timeless advice I find truer the older I get. There are plenty of battles to be fought, but it's imperative to fight the right ones.
"Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.' ” (John 18.36)
It was face-off time between two important men. The king of the Jews stood before a powerful government official who had "the right of the sword"; authority to kill or let live. From all appearances, this was the time for a showdown; a fight to the finish. But, these were not two equal realms, and the battle was not as it seemed. At stake was the will of God versus a visible show of might.
We've heard it said that it's possible to win the battle and lose the war. That's what was really at stake that day in a Roman courtroom. Powerful Rome was no match for the kingdom of God and its king. But, winning this battle would have meant losing the war and the will of God. Without Christ's sacrificial death at the hands of that Roman government, all would literally be lost.
There are battle before each of us today. Wisdom requires that we know which ones are worth fighting. We can assert our rights and will, but easily lose our witness and God's will. It is not for us to right every wrong; only to be about the justice that serves God's will. What's best for the kingdom of God is determined by the king; not our misguided efforts.
May we fight the battles that truly matter this day.
Steve
"Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.' ” (John 18.36)
It was face-off time between two important men. The king of the Jews stood before a powerful government official who had "the right of the sword"; authority to kill or let live. From all appearances, this was the time for a showdown; a fight to the finish. But, these were not two equal realms, and the battle was not as it seemed. At stake was the will of God versus a visible show of might.
We've heard it said that it's possible to win the battle and lose the war. That's what was really at stake that day in a Roman courtroom. Powerful Rome was no match for the kingdom of God and its king. But, winning this battle would have meant losing the war and the will of God. Without Christ's sacrificial death at the hands of that Roman government, all would literally be lost.
There are battle before each of us today. Wisdom requires that we know which ones are worth fighting. We can assert our rights and will, but easily lose our witness and God's will. It is not for us to right every wrong; only to be about the justice that serves God's will. What's best for the kingdom of God is determined by the king; not our misguided efforts.
May we fight the battles that truly matter this day.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2016
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posted by steve @ 7:30 AM
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