The Good Fight

1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Scripture frequently refers to the Christian life and work in athletic or combative terms. When all things are considered, reason compels the Christian to enter into the race and fight. These are emotional word-pictures for us to catch the symbolic imagery, understand the message being conveyed and commit it to memory. First, our Commander is worth following. He leads us into battle and stands with us on the front lines receiving the fiercest fire.

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

 Second, we are well-armed and protected. The “whole armor of God” includes the girdle of “truth,” the “breastplate of righteousness,” shoes of “the preparation of the gospel of peace,” “the shield of faith,” “the helmet of salvation,” and “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” – Ephesians 6;13-17. Spiritual warfare is real. The warrior’s mouth is filled with prayers and bold speech; his sword has no scabbard, and his back has no armor, for retreat is unthinkable. The goal of our fight urges us on. We strive to undermine “the kingdom of darkness” and to fill it with light. Each must battle on to exalt our Leader and Lord by championing His Word.” It is a battle worth fighting for; this is the good fight.

 Revelation 3:21 “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

To the victor belongs the spoils. In the end, God wins. That side of eternity, we no longer will be soldiers, but kings; we will trade our battle armor for robes, washed and made “white in the blood of the Lamb”. Our helmet will be replaced by an “incorruptible” crown —“a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give [us] at that day” – 2 Timothy 4:8.