Focus: Metaphors Of The Christian Life

Text: Jh.10:10

"I am come that they might have LIFE, and that they might have it more abundantly."

The Scripture contains metaphors for the Christian life. Let's consider a few.

*It's a feast

Solomon writes, "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love" (Song of Sol.2:4). The Christian life is a feast. It's the feast of salvation. The father of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 gave a great feast for the return of his son. 

The Christian life is a celebration of the grace, goodness and glory of God. The life of Christ in us is nourished and sustained by our feeding on Him.

Jesus is the Living Water, the Bread of life, and the True Manna from heaven. The Word of God is milk, meat and honey. We feast on the truths of the Spirit. We experience joy in the Holy Spirit, righteousness and peace. We feed fat on Christ. We enjoy great fellowship with Christ. He dines with us and we with Him. We enjoy what Jesus calls "the children's bread" (Mk.7:27). O taste, and see that the Lord is good! He has brought us into His banqueting house, and His banner over us is love.

*It's a race

The writer of Hebrews says, "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb.12:1b). It is more like a marathon than a hundred meter dash. That is why patience is required. We run it steadily and steadfastly. We keep at it until the Lord returns for us. We run this race knowing that there is a goal to reach, and for those who endure or run with patience, there is a prize to gain in the end. We run focusing on our Forerunner, Jesus Christ. Let's run to win! The prize is worth it.

*It's a fight

Paul enjoins us to fight the good fight of faith (1Tim.6:12). In 2Tim.4:7, he says of himself, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." The Christian life is more than having fun; it's a fight. It's called the fight of faith. There is a foe to quell and forces to defeat. Satan is our common enemy.

Paul tells us to wear the armor provided for us by God (Eph.6:10-18). In this warfare we pull down strongholds and shatter everything that is not of God (2Cor.10:4-6). 

It is a battle against the flesh, the world and the devil. We fight the flesh by crucifying it. We fight the devil by resisting him and warding off his advances. We fight the world by not loving or befriending it.

In this warfare we fight to win. Rev.2 and 3, John tells us that there is a reward for the overcomer. Our faith is a tool of victory (1Jh.5:4). We win by our faith. We are protected by the 'shield of faith.' The Spirit empowers and propels us to win, and in Christ we are more than conquerors.

*It's a trust

Jude says, "It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jud.1:3). In 1Thes.2:4, we read, "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts."

The Christian life is a trust. There is truth to guard and the gospel message to defend. God wants us to stay the course and remain faithful to the end. We contend earnestly for the faith that was once and for all delivered to us even if we die in the process. The words "well done" from the lips of the Master awaits all the faithful stewards.

Let us stay true to our calling! Let us keep speaking the truth in love! Let us pass the truth of the gospel to others who will in turn pass it on to others! Keep the trust! Hold on to the truth! Enjoy the feast and fight the good fight! Run the race and get the finish line! The Lord is with us to help us all the way through.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter