Yesterday we noted Paul’s reference to a wrestler in his letter to the church at Colosse:
““(12) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” (Colossians 4:12 ESV)
“(12) Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” (Colossians 4:12 NIV)
Another aspect of the wrestling in prayer is that for ourselves. In what ways could we picture the continuing wrestling match in which we are involved? Do we see ourselves there on the mat in prayer? Over the next few days we will consider and meditate on this praying in the terms of wrestling.
THE “REVERSAL”
The “reversal” in life may be expressed this way: “Lord, I repent of my sin! I turn from those things that are out of place with the Christian life and turn to follow you. Sin will no longer master me, but with your help, sin will be mastered.”
Note the words of Peter where we read. . .
“(19)Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,” (Acts 3:19 ESV)
The New Living Translation reads, “(19) Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
Note also God’s warning to Cain when he struggled with his anger where we read. . .
“(6) The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? (7) If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”” (Genesis 4:6-7 ESV)
The New Living Translation reads, “(7) . . . But you must subdue it and be its master.”
Unfortunately, Cain wrestled and lost. God wants us to wrestle and win!
Do we wrestle in prayer over those things we do which we don’t want to do and over those things we don’t do that we know we ought? In prayer we need to keep committing ourselves to repentance and the changing of those things which are out of place in our life. There needs to continue to be a reversal from being controlled by the flesh to being controlled by the Spirit of God. With His help we can gain the victory!
Have a great day MASTERING SIN THROUGH THE POWER OF CHRIST!
Carl
