Back
in the day my dad and I would watch the ‘Friday Night Fights’ on our 19-inch
black and white television set. We would sit in the living room watching guys
like Rocky Marciano, Sonny Liston, Archie Moore and Sugar Ray Robinson step
into the ring and box for 10 to fifteen rounds. My father actually watched more
than I did because my assignment was to keep adjusting the rabbit ear antenna
to get a clear picture. Those were the days!
In
the early 1960’s a guy by the name of Cassius Clay came onto the scene and
caused a paradigm shift in the world of boxing. Muhammad Ali, as he later would
be called was unique. He could dance and weave around the ring like none other
and was extremely difficult to hit. One of his famous quotes when he fought
against George Foremen was this:
“Float
like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His hands can't hit what his eyes can't
see. Now you see me, now you don't. George thinks he will, but I know he won't.
“
Paul
the Apostle was a fighter too! Even though he never stepped into a boxing ring,
many people took shots at him with the intent of knocking him out. God,
however, was on his side and he ended up a winner. He may have lost a few
fights but he won the championship.
He
records one on his experiences in 2Cor. 4:8-9. “We are pressed on every side by
troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t
give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked
down, but we get up again and keep going.”
Life is
a fight! Jesus said: ‘ “… in the world you have tribulation but take courage, I
have overcome the world” You can’t live a joy-filled life and be a pacifist.
The bible tells us there is an enemy who doesn’t want you to be free. He
doesn’t want you to experience peace, joy or love. He wants you to be
self-centered, self-focused and self-willed. He wants to destroy you.
Jesus,
on the other hand fought the ultimate fight against sin so we could in fact,
experience a quality of existence called eternal life.
When
you hear things like: “I’m sorry but we have to lay you off.” “It’s malignant.”
“”Your son’s been arrested.” I don’t love you any more.”” “Mom, I think I’m
pregnant.” “I’ve found someone else.” “Your wife didn’t survive the surgery.”
You know a ravaging blow has hit you. The vibrancy of life can be knocked right
out of you if one is not careful.
Something
always attempts to rob you of eternal life but with God, a level of living
that's full of joy is possible. It’s a dimension of living that’s affected by
the hits but not destroyed.
Paul
learned the art of fighting and became a champion. Romans 8:37 tells us that he
not only won the war with a narrow margin but won in a convincing way. He
overwhelmingly conquered and so can you. Mr. Ali said: “If they can make
penicillin out of moldy bread, they can sure make something out of you.” God
wants to make you into a champion fighter.
In the
next few articles we will give some lessons in the art of fighting.
You may
want to check out and read Eph 6:10 -18 because every fighter prepares for
battle before entering the ring. Get ready, the bell is about to sound…
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