The Christmas Warrior

Overcomer: The winner of battles; victorious over strife & struggle!

"I fight where I'm told & I win where I fight..."- truer words could not be spoken of a true warrior or overcomer. George S. Patton, who uttered these words, was certain of both the battle in front of him & the necessity of victory. Confidence & conviction are essential for the one who engages in battle...whether it be physical warfare or spiritual warfare.

The Apostle John, when writing to the early church in his latter years, reminded believers that they were indeed "overcomers." His statement was crucial in aiding this band of brothers and sisters in knowing who they were and why they had been chosen. The good leader always helps the troops remember who they are (identity) and what is at stake (eternity).

John wrote, "For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?," 1 John 5:4-5 (Italics are mine). Of course, Jesus, Himself, said, "I have overcome the world," John 16:33. The overcoming warrior mindset is in our spiritual DNA!

Friend, Christmas is a time to celebrate that the virgin birth of Jesus Christ was all part of the expansive plan of God to overcome disease, destruction, death and the devil. Jesus left the privileges of heaven and lived a sinless life culminating in His voluntary death on a cross so that you and I may be forgiven of sins and free to serve Him for eternity. He rose again on the third day in cosmic victory allowing those who believe in Him to experience victory, as well. All believers are to live in victory as true overcomers in this galactic battle against our own sin, the unrelenting assaults of Satan and the forces that align themselves against us. We still have sin in our lives (we're not in heaven, yet) and Satan's head may have been cut off, but he is still moving until he is ultimately defeated.

Jesus, the Lion of Judah, is the original Overcomer! He is the Warrior that fights for His people. Even now, He is our Advocate as the enemy continues to hurl his accusations of inferiority, doubt, uncertainty and guilt against us. While we "are therefore now under no condemnation" (Rom. 8:1) because our Lord has already declared His people forgiven, justified and righteous...Satan still throws his roadblocks our way to discourage and dishearten us. But, don't be discouraged. Don't be disheartened.

Christmas is a marvelous time to remember to keep fighting the good fight of faith. Christianity is an outdoor "sport." The Christian faith is not for the squeamish! Living the Christian life, if lived correctly, is lived out on the battleground...not, a playground.

Teddy Roosevelt's Man in the Arena speech was spot on. He stated, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Brothers and Sisters, let's not diminish the significance of Christ's birth, life, death and resurrection by pretending we are not at war. Yes, even warriors need some time to reset, reflect and renew. I hope you are able to do just that during this Christmas season. I pray that the result will be love, joy, peace and hope in your life. But, don't lose sight of the battle that continues to wage between good and evil, light and darkness, life and death. Your role as a believer in Christ the Lord is paramount.

Victory? Well, John said that "faith" is your victory! Faith is the Victory is the old hymn we used to sing. Perhaps we need to revive those wonderful words,