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Annette K. Mazzone’s Lily Among Thorns is another stellar Christian end-times story that details a possible future where Christians have become pariahs, oppressed forcefully merely because of their faith; and while, thankfully, the world of today isn’t anywhere close to such a reality, it is something that looms over the Christian mind. Yet, we should be cognizant of 1 Timothy 6:12:
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
We should not hold Lily Among Thorns and other books like it as prophecy or certainties, but as reminders that what we have today can only persist if we persist in fighting against the very forces that may attempt to take our faith away from us.
The Good Fight of Faith
The Christian faith was founded upon struggle and perseverance. Following Christ as we do within a fallen world is not without its challenges. That is obvious enough, but sometimes people forget. We believers face internal battles against temptation, external pressures from a secular culture, and the spiritual forces of darkness.
Yet, amidst these struggles, the Christian narrative is ultimately one of triumph.
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The Eternal Victory of Christ
When everything is over, the dust has settled, and the dinner table is set, Christian will triumph. This is because Jesus Christ has already won.
As the Apostle Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15:55:
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
This is because Christ’s life, death, and resurrection have already occurred, and there is nothing that can supersede these miraculous and powerful events. Even if the world ends, Christians will still have won because this is not the only world–nor is it the one where we all end up.
Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, the Christian soul has already secured salvation and overcome the powers of sin and death.
This historical reality is the unshakeable foundation upon which Christians stand and which cannot be ignored. Their ultimate triumph is not a future aspiration contingent on their performance, but a present reality rooted in Christ’s finished work.
The Boundless Power of the Holy Spirit
And though Christ offered salvation and immortality of spirit upon death, he also led us to the grace of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:16-17 says:
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
Within each and every believer, the presence of the Holy Spirit dwells, empowering us to live lives that may reflect Christ’s indomitable character. In turn, we are able to resist temptation, grow further in holiness, and bear the fruits of our spirit.
Therefore, the battles we fight are not fought with only our feeble bodies and frail minds, but with the limitless power of the Holy Spirit working through and within us. With the Holy Spirit within us, each battle we face is simply a battle that is ours to lose. Victory is already at hand.
The Faithful Word of God
Above everything is God’s unfailing love. His presence is constant, ever the provider of all our needs. Then, there is also His infallible plan, His blueprint of destinies that was already in motion long before we opened our eyes to the stars.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
With this in mind, Christians can confidently face the future, deeply aware that God’s promises are true and that He will ultimately bring His purposes to completion.
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The Good Fight of Faith
The Christian life is indeed a fight, a race that requires perseverance and commitment. However, it is not a battle fought in vain or a race run without a finish line. The ultimate triumph of Christians is secured in the victory of Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and grounded in the unwavering promises of God.
While the struggles of this life are real, believers can face them with confident hope, knowing that their ultimate victory is not a matter of “if” but “when.”
Annette K. Mazzone’s Lily Among Thorns is available for purchase on this link.
