JACOB AND ISRAEL CHARACTERS IN THE CHURCH OF TODAY

Since the fall, man has been known as a being that strives with his creator and his fellow men. This made God o vow in the time of Noah that His spirit will not strive with man who is ordinary flesh and blood- Gen. 6:1-3. Human striving has  its root in the soul that has been corrupted through lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life- 2 Pet. 1:4. To strive is a sign of refusal to surrender, submit or yield oneself to instructions. Human striving is soul power and otherwise called ''hype''.

The church of today is filled with men and women, boys and girls that strive with the Spirit of God. This is the case from the pulpit to the pew and from leadership to followership. Striving or struggling with God indicates rebellion against Him. This is what Paul the apostle warned against, that rebellion would be the order of the day, in the end-time that will usher in the anti-christ who is also called the man of sin or lawlessness- 2 Thess. 2:1-12.

The church of today is filled with men and women who want to serve God but refuse to be different from the world and its empty and corrupted customs, traditions and fashions- Rm. 12:1-2.

We struggle for everything- material things, money, position, recognition, that the language of faith and trust in God's faithfulness, patience, and longsuffering becomes a mere mouth profession. Like Jacob, the character of a true prince with God will not manifest in us until we are brought to a point of brokenness, surrendering, and death to our carnal inclinations that make us to struggle with both God and our fellow men-Gal. 2:20; 5:22-26;  Col. 3:1-17.