Wednesday, July 13, 2016

The Good Fight June 13, 2016




1 Timothy 1:18 (NIV)
18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,

Paul writes in his letter to Timothy to fight the good fight. He tells him to do this by loving from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. (ITimothy 1:5) Love is one of the keys to fighting the good fight. It is a powerful weapon against all evil. Brennan Manning says, “In every encounter we either give life (love) or we drain it. There is no neutral exchange.” Love is a way to fight the good fight. It helps us to resist the evil one who plants seeds of destruction. Another way to be strong in power and resist the “devil’s schemes” is to put on the full armor of God daily. (Ephesians 6:10-18) The disciples of Christ had to fight hard to hold on to their faith amidst the persecution and trials of being a Christian. Paul, however, describes the fight as a “good fight” – one worth fighting for, one worth giving your life for.

Are you tired of the “good fight”? Have you sought to live a godly life but feel like a failure? Remember that Jesus never came to make us perfect. He came as the perfect sacrifice to draw us to Himself and make us holy. Swimming against the tide of society in a post-Christian world can be tiring, but the fight is worthwhile and the rewards are great. Jesus puts it this way: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
(John 16:33)

Thought for today: How do you know you’re fighting the good fight?


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