Joshua 11: 18 states, Joshua waged war with all these kings for a long time. This is a not so subtle reminder that ultimate victory over our enemies is never achieved in this life. This is especially true of sin. In Canaan there were battles as well as blessings and the same is true in our Christian walk. We may experience unprecedented victories and yet suffer painful reminders that there are pesky, persistent sins still to be subdued in our lives. Some aspects of the old man may die quickly but others may raise their ugly head in utter defiance for years. We often tire of long wars, both military and moral, but some victories are not easily nor quickly won.
The war against sin is a lifelong battle. Noah got shamelessly drunk in old age (Gen. 9: 21). Abraham resorted to lying late in life (Gen. 20: 1 – 2). At the apex of spiritual maturity Moses raged with ungodly anger (Num. 20: 9 – 11). Riding the crest of the monarchy, David fell into sexual sin (2 Sam. 11: 1 – 27). While writing the greatest theological treatise ever penned under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul admitted still struggling against sin (Rom. 7: 13 – 24). Their experience is our experience. Though we may have been walking with the Lord for decades we too often find ourselves troubled by nasty sins which should have been eradicated years ago.
Such an acknowledgement should hardly lead to despair or passive spirituality, however. Just as Joshua continued to wage war against all foes until he took the entire land…. [and]… the land had rest from war (11: 23) we must keep up the good fight “until every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.” We must not give up or let up until we are taken up!
This is the long war but it is also the Lord’s war. Remember that Joshua is the Hebrew equivalent of the name Jesus. We win this war not in our own strength or with our own ingenuity but in the power of Jesus Christ. As Paul told of his tiresome battles, he triumphantly concluded: What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Rom. 7: 24 – 25). Thank God Romans 8 follows Romans 7. We are fighting the long war but one day we will be translated from this gory world to the glory world, faith will yield to sight and the battle will be over. But “until then with joy I’ll carry on.”