Fight to the Death

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Romans 8:12-13

Patrick Henry stood from his pew in St. John's Church in Richmond, VA. He was there as a delegate to the Second Virginia Convention which was now in its fourth day. The date was March 23, 1775. The room was filled with great patriots like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson who turned in their seats to face Henry. As they listened, Henry delivered one of the greatest speeches in our nation's history. A speech whose last line was so moving that it has worked its way into our national identity. "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

Brothers and sisters in Christ, if personal liberty is worth so much then how much more ought we to fight for our spiritual liberty from sin! Just as personal freedom is our birthright as Americans, so too freedom from sin is our birthright as believers. As soon as we became citizens of that Heavenly Kingdom for which we still wait, as soon as the Spirit of the living God took up residence within us, we were set free from the power of sin and death in that moment! (Romans 8:9-11) Oh, how I long for my brothers and sisters in Christ to find the resolution and strength to enter the fight for their own minds and bodies to finally live in the freedom that Christ shed his precious blood to purchase for them.

Freedom always comes as a result of struggle. Just as surely as Henry and his patriots had to fight to secure their freedom, Romans 8:13 tells us that by the power of the Spirit we must "put to death" our sinful deeds. Overcoming the flesh and its desires requires struggle and sacrifice. Many of you know the struggle but you continue to live in sin because you aren't willing to make the sacrifice. Half measures just won't cut it in a fight for your soul. 

Let me give you an example. Perhaps you're looking at pornography online. You've tried to stop but so far have been unable to completely quit. Would you be willing to give up your smart phone to be free? Would you give up the internet for your freedom? Or maybe you find yourself going too far physically with your boyfriend or girlfriend. Are you willing to no longer be alone with them to safeguard your purity? If you only spend time together in public places you ought to be able to stay pretty pure. 

This isn't rocket science, but it does require sacrifice. If this seems too extreme or drastic to you, then consider what Jesus said in Matthew 5:30. "And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."

Jesus is using hyperbole (exaggeration for effect). Please don't irreversibly maim yourself. His point is that you sometimes need to take drastic measures to avoid sin. The question is how much are you willing to sacrifice to be free from your sin? Jesus gave up His very life to set you free from sin. What are you willing to give up?