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When we struggle with issues that are too much for us, it is comforting to hear the word that the battle belongs to the Lord, and cast our problems into the Lord's hands. We have many examples in the Bible that describe times when things were too difficult for God's people and they cast themselves into the Lord's hands, how He delivered them miraculously. The popular song, 'The battle belongs to the Lord' has helped many people to have this printed on their minds. But if we think that all we need to do in difficult situations is to transfer our problems to the Lord, we will be sadly mistaken. We would be shirking our own responsibility and imagining that we do not have anything more to do.

Salvation is a gift that God offers us who do not deserve it, and there is no way we can earn it. But we can see that the Bible is full of things that God asks us to do, to receive salvation and also to grow in it. Some preachers try to make things simple by saying, "Just believe," expecting God to do the rest. But, as Jesus said, there is no proper faith without having repented from our sins (Lk.24:47).

Growing in salvation means to be transformed from our old sinful nature to God's character in every part of our life. This will not happen automatically when we believe or by a mystical work of the Holy Spirit (Ro.6:12,13). That is the way we can go towards victory over sin (v.14). Further, it is only by our making choices each time we are tempted, to do what is pleasing to God, that our old nature gets put to death and the divine nature grows in us (Ep.4:21-24).

Let us just take a look at samples of what we are expected to do. We are to actively flee from our desires and run after virtues (2Ti.2:22). As the Holy Spirit exposes our sinfulness, we must submit to Him and refuse our body's desires to enjoy ourselves (Ro.8:13). We must not allow any unforgiving attitude to remain in us but become patient with the weaknesses we see in others, remembering how the Lord is dealing with us (Co.3:13). Jesus warns us particularly about this, saying that if we take double standards here, our own forgiveness will be jeopardised (Mt.18:34,35). He knows very well about our weaknesses, and so He exhorts us to be vigilant, as well as to depend on God's strength (Mt.26:41). God tells us to flee from the love of money as well as allowing things to become idols in our heart (1Ti.6:10,11;1Co.10:14). If we thought that participating in communion in the church was a casual thing, God gives us strict warnings about our attitudes and behaviour (1Co.11:27-32).

If we 'just believe' and wait for God to do everything for us, is it any wonder that we remain clueless about the deeper things of God? Why are we remaining in defeat in many areas in our life? Where is our becoming more like Jesus? Are we growing in wisdom and the knowledge of God? Are we growing up from being infants in Christ to those who can teach others and point out the way?

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