The Conflict of a Soldier

Scripture: Philippians 1:29-30

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Insights:  Our final thought for this week deals with our conflict as a soldier for Jesus.  The conflict comes in two ways.  The first way is the persecution we face in our lives here on earth.  Notice the verses states that we suffer for His sake.  Beloved, we in America do not really face persecution, but that day is coming and coming quickly.  We need to be reminded that persecution is the theme throughout the New Testament for believers.  Second Timothy chapter three verse twelve tells us that all who live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted.  In Philippians chapter three verse ten we are told we have fellowship with Christ’s sufferings.  Warren Wiersbe states, “the presence of conflict is a privilege. . . ‘granted’ to us—it is a gift!”  The second way in which we suffer has to do with Paul’s phrase, “experiencing the same conflict you saw in me.”  You will recall from earlier verses in chapter one that Paul was torn between his desire to die and be with Jesus and his desire to remain and strengthen the body of Christ.  In the end he knew it was better for him to remain to build up the body, but he desperately longed to go home to his eternal and true home with Jesus.  It can be said then that home sickness is a very real conflict within ourselves that we often battle as a child of the King.  We ought to want to go home.  In this longing we are able to experiencing exciting joy and worship because we know this longing will one day come to pass and be our reality.  It gives us hope and the power to undergo any persecution we experience here and now.  To God be the glory!

Questions:

1.  In what ways are you presently being persecuted on this side of eternity?

2.  Do you experience home sickness for your true dwelling with Jesus?

Prayer: Father, I really do want to go home with You, but I know that You have called me here to remain faithful to you and to proclaim Your great name.  Amen.