Some of the greatest battles in life are fought within the heart.
Many leaders throughout history have been intent on conquering other nations. Some selfish rulers and leaders have even entertained thoughts of ruling the entire world. Those leaders have forced thousands of soldiers into battle because of their personal desire for power, wealth, and fame.
The physical battles that are fought between armies have caused much anguish and loss of life. Many soldiers have been severely injured, and many lives have needlessly been cut short because of the selfish goals of certain leaders. This has caused severe anguish of heart for the loved ones of those that have perished. Defeat has also caused much heartache and sadness for those unsuccessful leaders.
The Spiritual Battle
Every responsible soul encounters great spiritual battles in life. The consequences of these battles are of tremendous weight and importance. The loss of a physical battle can bring disgrace to a leader during his life. The loss of the battle of your soul will bring anguish for eternity. Have you thought of the inevitable consequences of a self-centered Christless life?
Are you going to lose the battle of life? The battle between life and death? The battle between heaven and hell? The battle between self-denial and self-love, your soul and the world? Jesus says, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
Whether we have much or little of this natural world in our possession, if we lose our own soul, what a tragedy! Our eternal destiny will be sealed. Many people do not realize that there is a great spiritual battle to be fought. Their understanding has been blinded by Satan and the world, and they are asleep to the realities of the battle against sin. The Bible says, “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Ephesians 5:14). Shake off the chains of sin and Satan. Make it a fight to the finish! You cannot escape natural death, but you can escape eternal death. If you lose the battle for your soul’s salvation, it will be an eternal doom in hell and torment.
The Choice
Did you ever stop to consider that there is but one step between you and death? Are you ready to pass over the threshold of time into eternity? To gain the victory that will lead you to your heavenly home, you must come to Jesus. “God... now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30). NOW! Not tomorrow or some other convenient season. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). If you are yet without Christ in your heart, if your past condemns you, if you have not experienced the new birth (John 3:3), do not rest at ease. Repent! Come to Jesus just as you are while He stands knocking at the door of your heart. He said, “If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20). You may ask, “Can a sinner really be saved?” Yes! Come to Christ in faith with your whole heart and accept Him as your personal Savior, repenting of your sins and obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit. Then you will win the battle of your soul. You will not only enjoy peace and joy in this life, but also bliss and glory with your Savior in eternity. Thousands of years ago the prophet Ezekiel said, “If the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed... and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live” (Ezekiel 18:21).
If you intend to enjoy the pleasures of a sinful world, you will find yourself losing out in the end just as many power-hungry leaders have throughout history. You will be as a drowning man without a Savior, and you will perish. Grasp hold of Jesus Christ, the great Life Preserver, without delay. He will save you. Then, concerning the last battle, you will say with the apostle Paul, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
The apostle Paul writes about this battle of the soul being a good fight. He says, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:12). God is very interested in this fight of faith and delights in rewarding faith in Him. This victory is within the grasp of each person.
Dear soul, you have the choice of victory or defeat; heaven or hell; the living God or the devil; a joyous, glorious eternity or endless woe and torment. “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Choose Jesus today!