These men were located protecting an important beach front (in one of our beach combing excursions) in Rockport. I was inspired by them having been beaten by the sea and sand yet still standing strong together.
Anyway, these little found army men reminded me of many things. I even remembered bringing these thoughts together when I talked about how I gave swords to our groomsmen for our wedding. They remind me that the Christian life is often compared to a war. All throughout the Old and New Testament the analagy of war is used. Whether it be between internal desires, natural powers, spiritual powers, and even principalities and powers. Paul states this idea eloquently in Ephesians 6:12 (HCSB), "For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens."
But we don't walk around fighting people. I don't punch people in the face just because they aren't Christians. So in many aspects this training metaphore has to be individually appropriated. It needs to be understood that the idea may not lead us into a physical battle. The ways we wage war against our own 'flesh' will constantly be reforming the longer we know Jesus. Our methods and tactics will develop. We mature in our understanding of the Christian life. I appreciate the verse in Colossians 1:9-11 (HCSB) which states "(that you) may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing [to Him], bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy."
Anyway, these little found army men reminded me of many things. I even remembered bringing these thoughts together when I talked about how I gave swords to our groomsmen for our wedding. They remind me that the Christian life is often compared to a war. All throughout the Old and New Testament the analagy of war is used. Whether it be between internal desires, natural powers, spiritual powers, and even principalities and powers. Paul states this idea eloquently in Ephesians 6:12 (HCSB), "For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens."
But we don't walk around fighting people. I don't punch people in the face just because they aren't Christians. So in many aspects this training metaphore has to be individually appropriated. It needs to be understood that the idea may not lead us into a physical battle. The ways we wage war against our own 'flesh' will constantly be reforming the longer we know Jesus. Our methods and tactics will develop. We mature in our understanding of the Christian life. I appreciate the verse in Colossians 1:9-11 (HCSB) which states "(that you) may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing [to Him], bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy."
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