I’ll Fight, Too.

Church on Sunday morning, men’s small group Monday evening, a larger men’s Bible study Wednesday morning, another Bible discussion Friday evening, and on top of this, daily personal time in the Word — do I really need another Bible study? Drawing near to other believers in community is indispensable to our spiritual growth and wellbeing, as modeled by the early church, who “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”¹ Moreover, it is essential that we continue to absorb God’s purifying Word, as Jesus prayed to the Father on our behalf, “Make them holy for Yourself by the truth. Your Word is truth.”² Yes, time in the Word with other believers is vital for a healthy church and a maturing people.

There comes a point, however, when we must stop and ask ourselves, “Is fortifying myself the endgame, or is there a greater purpose to which the Word calls me and for which it equips me?” On the night of His betrayal, Jesus humbly washed His disciples’ feet, then said to them, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. . . Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”³ Paul likewise links learning and action — the indicative to the imperative: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”⁴ (Amazing, isn’t it, that God promises peace amid our obedience?)

What, then, does “put it into practice” look like? In his last public address, William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army memorably articulated it this way: “While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight; while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight, I’ll fight to the very end!”⁵ Can there be a greater call, a greater meaning, a greater existence than to beat back darkness with the light of truth? Opportunities emerge before us every day. And if a particular form of darkness seems overwhelming to you, enlist with those already engaged in the fight — food pantries, prison ministries, hygiene help centers, student ministries . . . the list goes on. Just fight. And the God of peace will be with you.

Father, how great our call to love Your people in spirit and in action, for this also glorifies You. Equip us and lead us into the battle field. Win, just win. In Christ we pray. Amen.

¹ Acts 2:42 NIV
² John 17:17 NLV
³ John 13:14-17 NIV, emphasis added
⁴ Philippians 4:9 NIV, emphasis added
⁵ Public domain