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Did you know all of life is a struggle? Are you feeling perhaps more keenly now than ever before? As Christians, we are called to STRUGGLE TOGETHER. In fact, that is one of the ways Paul describes us as Christians.
Listen to these verses:
1. Salvation begins as a Struggle Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (KJV)
2. Prayer can be a struggle Romans 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. (NIV)
3. Self-control and discipline should be life-long struggles First Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery [competes in the games NIV] is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. (KJV)
4. Disciple-making ministry is a struggle Colossians 1:29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. (NKJV)
5. Intercessory prayer is a struggle Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. (NKJV)
6. Holy living is a lifelong struggle 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight [agonidzou agona] of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (NKJV)
7. All of life in Christ to the Apostle Paul was a struggle 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight [agona ehgonismai] , I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (NKJV)
AGONIDZOMAI, the word we have been seeing in these verses is translated into English AV – strive 3, fight 3, labor fervently 1; 7
It means 1) to enter a contest: contend in the gymnastic games
2) to contend with adversaries, fight
3) metaph. to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers
4) to endeavour with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain something
And that is what we are called to as Christians!