A Different Type of Fighter

A Different Type of Fighter


“But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1

Thunderheads rolled ominously over the city, as the lightning bolts streaked across the sky. In a dim lit gym, two fighters preparing for battle reacted in different ways. Appearing similar in some ways, the fighters were actually as different as day and night. The secular fighter, with his head down and his hands busy pounding away at the heavy bag, stepped up his pace as he worked to get his physical body in top condition before the fight. Knowing that time was short, and that he would soon have to step inside the cage of life, he worked frantically to get all the worldly moves perfected.

Quite strange was the appearance and actions of the other fighter. He sat on a bench, his head lifted to the sky and his sharp piercing eyes searching the heavens. He then bowed his head, clutched his hands, and began a silent prayer. The two men although both fighters where as different as an eagle and a chicken. It was easy to see the humility of the beaten fighter, and it was easy to see that his body that had once been beaten down by the world to prevent him from receiving his eternal championship, had once again strengthen from within. It was obvious that this man was not an ordinary fighter.

In a boy’s home deep within the city, the worldly trainer had taken a young boy in order to build a champion. He had brought the boy home to live with him and raised him with a brood of secular fighters. With little patience, he had raised him and tried to train him in the fighting style of the world. However, from the very first the young fighter had not fit in with the routine of the others. He fought alone, for he found no fellowship with the other fighters or the sinful trainer. Though from the day he was taken from the home, the young fighter had known no environment but the sinful life about him, yet from deep within something from eternity, cried out that this was not "home". As he grew larger, his confidence had been beaten down. Unable to escape, he sat in the gym daily, looking inward… his body confined to earth, but his heart in eternity. Not knowing why, unable to explain, yet knowing that there was a constant call from within to rise to greater heights in heavenly places above.

Walking home after another tough night in the gym being beat down by the insults of his trainer and sparring partners, the young fighter came upon an old church. Feeling a burning inside, he walks up to the door and quietly stepped inside. And as he did so his eyes caught sight of another fighter kneeling at the alter with his hands lifted to the heavens. At that moment, his ears caught the sound of a sharp piercing cry from the Anointed Fighter on his knees. Suddenly a gust of the spirit caught his ears and brought him in tears to his knees. With a shrill scream of victory and freedom in Jesus name, he left the sinful trainer forever and joined the ranks of God's anointed.

My friend, I hope you can see what we’re getting at. We are not referring to, or so much interested in, the physical fighting style of men just for the sake of fighting. And neither is God, but He sure has a lot to say about fighting in the Bible. Moreover, what He has to say is very significant in relation to His Anointed Fighters, the Body of Christ, those who are called to be champions of God in Christ Jesus.

Anointed Fighters are symbolic of a certain class of Christians. "But they that wait upon the Lord… shall mount up with wings as eagles" (Isaiah 40:31). The "mounting up" or champion training process is important and necessary for fighters who are to defend souls and be anointed champions conformed to the image of the Son of God and rule and reign with Him forever. However, it only comes to those who will train for the "good fight" in His presence round after round until they are carved into the champion image of his son Jesus Christ. Not every fighter who enjoys the blessings of God's championship grace and who believes in Jesus Christ to the saving of their souls will knock out the idols of earth that stand in the center of the Cage of Life, and pay the price to go on with God into the later rounds. Nevertheless, God has predestinated those whom He hath foreknown, and He has purposed that His champion glory shall be manifested in them.

Remember, it is called a fight for a reason. However, we fight from victory, not for victory. Keep Fighting!

Danny White
Anointed Fighter