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Christians are called to be fierce.

Yesterday I talked about the biblical call to a ferocious faith:

"Strive (agonizomai) to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." ~ Lk. 13:24

- "Fight the good fight of faith (agonizou ton kalon agona). Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called...." ~ 1 Tim. 6:12a

"And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell." ~ Mt. 5:28-30

This morning John Piper reminded me of this truth in his blog post, "Swords Are for Killing." Swords, Piper suggests, are not made for digging, or for whittling. Swords are made for killing. So, when I pick up the "sword of the Spirit" (Eph. 6:17), what am I to do with it? Whittle? Dig? Or kill?

And if Piper is right that I'm to wield the Bible to kill, who am I to kill? Paul gives the answer in his letter to the Romans:
"If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." ~ Rom. 8:13

May God open our eyes to the fight of faith, teach us to properly use his sword, and strengthen us to be fierce.

- Chris
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