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This quote from the great Winston Churchill brings the Christian life to mind. When a person receives Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they have declared war. According to Paul in his letter to Timothy, they become a soldier of Jesus Christ. Just as a statesman has no control after making the decision to go to war, a Christian has no control over their lives once Jesus Christ has come to dwell within. Jesus comes in declaring war on our flesh, the world and the devil. All expectations of what our life will be like must be dropped immediately. All we need to know is that we are safe in the Master's hands as he guides us into victory. Our life is not our own. When he comes in, the conflict begins. "16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. " Most Christians are unaware that this confilct will take place or of just how intense this conflict will be; thus, they think they can control it. We can no better control our flesh than a statesman can control the events of war once the signal is given. The more we try to control it, the more it spins out of control. We are powerless. The key to victory is resting in Christ and leaving the battle to Him. He promises to bear our burdens as we take His yoke upon us.

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