Salt & Sonshine
By Pastor/Teacher James R. Paxton

It seems all over this country there is a mood that makes people want to fight.

TV networks fight each other for supremacy. Politicians on the campaign trail fight their opponents by slinging mud and telling lies. If they are elected, the fight continues. They fight for the limelight and they fight for credit for that which is accomplished. The Democrats fight against the Republicans and vice versa. They all have the best idea and oppose those that do not agree with them. Teachers fight for a pay raise and the Legislature fights for their programs and budget support. Even the churches don’t escape. One denomination fights against another. It makes one weary.

One thing is true. It certainly is time to fight. We as a people must stand against corruption, crime, evil, disease and so many other things that are wrong. But, our fight is not against our fellow man. It is a fight against the works of the devil. The Bible instructs us to fight the good fight of faith (I Tim. 6:12). The good fight is the one we won. However, for it to really be a good fight it must be one of honor and a worthy cause. Our fellow man is not our enemy. I know, some act like it but it is the devil (Satan) who is behind it. He is the enemy. He must be recognized and resisted by exercising the Word of God against him. He will come against you with temptation, deception, fear, lies and so forth. He has been practicing for thousands of years and although he has no new weapons he cleverly disguises them (sometimes with half truths) and tries to draw us in.

One of the greatest weapons we have is love. 1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”

The Greek word (Agapeo) charity should have been translated Love. Love never fails and God is love. Love cleanses your own heart and motivations and frees you from unforgiveness and anger. Yes, we need to fight. We need to fight for honesty, peace, integrity and character. What difference does it make if someone else had a solution that was better than your idea? If I were having to go to a hospital surgery, I would want the most caring, skilled doctor doing the work. I just want the best results, don’t you? We need to get back to doing what God said and draw the line.

Maranatha!