I often thank God for the peaceful time and stable culture in which I live, not having to endure the horrors of war. However, I am living and fighting in a worldwide war—God has called us to fight for Him and His kingdom in this cosmic spiritual battle against Satan, sin, and death.

We see this battle on the pages of Scripture: the apostles being stoned, beaten, imprisoned, and beheaded in the war raging against the early church. We see this battle around the world today, too, as people give up their lives for the sake of Christ’s kingdom, are persecuted, or are rejected by their own families for their faith in Jesus.

But what is our role in this spiritual battle?

We know God has called us to “take up our cross and follow Him” (Matt. 16:24) and to “share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:3), but what does this look like in daily life? How do “normal” Christians fight this battle for Jesus if they aren’t called to be missionaries, pastors, or elders? God has called us all to be involved in the advancement of His kingdom and the spread of the good news of Jesus Christ to every corner of the world (Matt. 28:16–20). God has called some to go into South American jungles to unreached tribes, others to Islamic regions, others to be mothers at home—teaching their children of the great salvation we have in Christ, who took our sins upon Himself and gave us His perfect righteousness.

Each of these callings is equally important, and every Christian needs to serve God wholeheartedly, whether on the frontlines of foreign missions or in their home church in America, serving as a prayer warrior and discipling and encouraging the members in their church to greater love and good works. Every person God has called to be His beloved child, He has also called to take up his cross, share in Christ’s suffering, and fight for the kingdom He is building here on earth. In an important way, each of us has to give up ourselves, even our lives, for His sake as “living sacrifices” (Rom. 12:1)—willingly following wherever God calls us to go and doing whatever God calls us to do as we fight in His army.

Mark 8:35 says, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” This calling may seem very intimidating, but we find comfort in these words of Scripture: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:37–39). “I [Jesus] have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thess. 3:3). “Because you belong to God, you have already defeated the enemy” (1 John 4:4).

Praise God! He has already won the battle, and He gives us strength to continue fighting, full of hope because we know He has already conquered the world, Satan, sin, and death. What a wonderful and worthy God we serve! May we live every moment of our lives in devoted service to Him.