You Have More Fight to Give

Some aspects of biblical truth run so contrary to culture that even many in the church find them extreme. Take, for example, the author of Hebrews’ admonition to his readers about resisting sin. He had already told them that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. In saying this, he was talking about justification, but in chapter 12, he uses a similar phrase concerning sanctification. He says, “In your struggle against sin, you have not resisted to the point of shedding your blood” (Heb. 12:4).

We know that standing for Christ can sometimes be difficult, and the temptation to back away presents itself when opposition and adversity come at us. The problem is that we are rarely as strong as we think, and we tend to want to shrink back under the lightest of difficulties. This tendency to timidity is why, after listing many great Saints in the Old Testament in Chapter 11, some who even gave their lives, the author tells us not to turn back even if it means our own flesh is torn apart.

The author of Hebrews says this concerning our struggle with sin. What does this mean? How do we struggle with sin? In two ways. First, we strive against our own sinfulness. Sometimes we want to walk away from the word of God because we desire something the word of God forbids. Do not give in when these desires that war against your soul are stirred up. Remember, some people were willing to give their lives for Christ. We can endure the emotional distress of resisting unfulfilled internal sinful desires in God’s strength. We have more fight to give.

The second way we struggle against sin is with the sin of others. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. One of those powers is the law of sin at work in other people. Indwelling sin is what causes others to come against us as Christians. In whatever form it takes, an individual or an entire sinful system set up by the Prince and power of the air, this is what is at work and can cause this real trouble in this life.

Some followers of God have lost homes, and some have lost jobs. Others suffered mockings and floggings, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy (Heb. 36-38).

The next time you think sin is getting the best of you and you want to turn back, remember you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Through the Holy Spirit, never forget the saints gone by, and remember Jesus himself, who went willingly to the cross and shed his blood for your salvation. In his strength, you have more fight to give in your struggle against sin, even if it means shedding your blood.

-D. Eaton