Genesis 32:6-7

King James Version (KJV)

⁶ And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.

⁷ Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;

Preparing for the Wrong Fight

Jacob had spent his life to this point living up to his name, the Trickster.  He had conned his brother out of his birthright with a bowl of beans, he had fooled his dying father, with his mother's help, by convincing him that he was his brother.  He met his match in his uncle, Laban, and had to learn to step up his games of deceit in order to get what he wanted.  He was an ambitious, cunning man who used every device he had to get what he wanted, even if it meant tricking people.

Then, on what he perceived to be the eve of his demise, he met his ultimate challenge in God.

Jacob was alone.  He had divided his own camp in an effort to preserve himself from the expected wrath of his brother, Esau.  He knew his brother's anger would be justified, there was no reason to expect mercy.  He prepared for the fight he thought he was going to have.  Alone, scared, worried, distressed, he found himself instead wrestling with a man who would change everything about him.

This was no ordinary fight.  The Word testifies that is lasted all night long and at the end, Jacob was set to prevail so things had to change.  

First, his walk was changed, even as he struggled.  Then, his name was changed.  But not only his name; his position in life.

Jacob went from being the trickster, to being a prince, with a new walk and a new approach on life.  What's interesting is that he didn't come out of the fight physically stronger, but kind of broken, with his hip out of joint and his whole demeanor changed.  He went from the cunning game player, to a slightly bowed prince.  

The world teaches us that struggle makes us stronger.  But Christ is made perfect in our weakness.  When we contend with the Kingdom of God, we find that our physical abilities may actually get in the way of the Spirit. Like Jacob, we try to do so much of our own strength and ability.  We find ourselves fighting to get out of a hole that instead just keeps getting deeper and deeper.  Eventually, we find ourselves alone, scared and distressed.

Then comes the real fight.

There are things that keep us from walking in our callings, our destiny in Christ.  More times than not, it's our own selves.  Giving up control, even when everything seems to be collapsing around us, is a hard thing. Releasing everything, good, bad and indifferent, over to the Hands of God runs against our very nature.  Well, that is until we take on the nature of Christ.

Child of God, it is time to let go.  It is time to stop arranging things and fixing things in an attempt to stay in control.  It is time to stop fighting your calling in Christ, time to stop fighting who you are in Christ.  You're a prince, not a trickster.  You're a child, not a servant.  An heir.  Not a hired hand.  And it is the Father's good pleasure to bless His children.

Knowing this will change our walk.  It will change our position and how we receive things.  This is the knowledge that will change how we see things, how we approach and react to things.  

Can you call yourself by your new name?  Can you accept this new normal in Christ?  A changed walk.  A changed name.  A changed outlook and, most importantly, a changed outcome not only for you, but for your whole family?

Genesis 33:4

King James Version (KJV)

⁴ And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

Galatians 4:1-7

King James Version (KJV)

4 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

² But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

³ Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

⁴ But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

⁵ To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

⁶ And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

⁷ Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Fight flesh.  Choose Christ.

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages. 

Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Hwy 138 W. Suite C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Between GA Hwy 85 and US 19/41

Across from EJ Swint Elementary School

Church Website - www.fcchosengeneration.com

770-573-9339 Phone

770-574-4967 Fax

chosen.gen@att.net

Alton Watkins, Pastor