Society tells us that we are the sum of our decisions and achievements, but what if there was another way to define ourselves? What if we could be more than the choices we’ve made or the experiences we’ve had?
In the Christian movie on PureFlix.com, "The Fight Within”, a pastor asks his congregation, “Who are you? And by that, I mean, what defines you? I didn’t ask you what you do for a living. I didn’t ask you what your name is, but who are you?” The pastor then invites everyone to “a new start, a new purpose, and a new life” in Christ Jesus. This pivotal scene is when the protagonist, Logan, finally surrenders to God and transforms his life. Throughout the rest of the film, Logan’s character demonstrates five different ways one’s life changes after praying to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
In the beginning of “The Fight Within”, Logan struggles with his identity. Does he really like being a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter, or is it just his father’s dream for him? Once Logan accepts Jesus, he realizes that it’s Christ’s love that defines him. Armed with this knowledge, his life becomes centered around who he is inside and not what he does for a living.
After a traumatic experience, Logan spends years afraid of fighting professionally, and this fear becomes an obstacle in other aspects of his life. However, after he accepts Jesus, Logan realizes some things are worth fighting for, and there is no need to be afraid when we truly believe that:
“If God is for us, who can be against us.” (Rom 8:31, NIV)
Throughout “The Fight Within”, Logan is at odds with his brother Mason. Logan finds, however, that when one accepts Jesus, it is difficult to harbor feelings of ill will. Similarly, the Apostle Paul tells us that when you belong to Christ Jesus:
“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:7, NIV)
Logan knew that accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior was only the beginning of his journey. When he tells his girlfriend, Emma, “I want to take God seriously; I just don’t know where to start,” Emma wisely hands Logan her Bible and says, “Start here.”
Not only does accepting Jesus make you want to fight for what is right, it teaches you to know the difference between right and wrong. When we accept Jesus, he sends His Holy Spirit, who helps us in our weakness.
“For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Rom 8:26, ESV)
If you’re struggling to accept Jesus in your life, keep fighting, and don’t forget to ask the Holy Spirit for help. Jesus died on the cross for everybody and wants all people to know His great love. For more inspiration, watch “The Fight Within”, which powerfully demonstrates the inner struggle of surrendering to God and His will for us. “The Fight Within” will encourage you to keep fighting for the good and inspire you to pursue a new identity in Christ.