It really is a spiritual battle

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “The Great Adventure”

Our Bible verse for today: “Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” Ephesians 6:10-12 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “It really is a spiritual battle”

Have you ever read “The Pilgrim’s Progress” by John Bunyan? John Bunyan was a Puritan minister and writer who lived in the late 1600s. His little book is considered one of the greatest works of Christian fiction ever written and it continues to sell well today, almost 350 years after it was first published in 1678.

The full title is, “The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That Which is to Come.” It is a story about a young man named “Christian” who is an everyman kind of character and who therefore represents each of us. The plot centers around his journey from his hometown in “The City of Destruction (the world), to “The Celestial City” (heaven). Along the way he meets a guide named “Evangelist” who provides guidance for the journey. The story is then a sequence of obstacles and challenges that Christian must deal with (life) as he slowly but steadily makes his way to his real and ultimate home in the Celestial City.

The book is available in modern language, including for children, and it really is a “must read” for Christians. Bunyan’s objective in his story is to remind his readers about the importance of the truth Paul taught in Ephesians 6:10-20, that we are on a spiritual journey through this world; we have an adversary who we cannot see (the devil) but who is very real and who must be dealt with; and our strength for the journey is only found in the Lord, not in our own strength.

Many years ago, I wrote an essay explaining the significance of each piece of the spiritual armor Paul addresses in Ephesians 6:10-20 and which we must put on every day. If you would like a copy of that essay let me know and I will be happy to send it to you.

The truth is that we are on a spiritual journey through this physical world and it is the spiritual reality, not the physical one, which matters most. Life really is a spiritual battle and therefore to be victorious in life we must be spiritually strong.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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