Faithfully Living in the Household of God by Fighting the Good Fight of Faith:

Introduction - Finding the Way:

Have you ever found yourself uncertain of where life is leading you? Unsure of which path to take when are a fork in the road? It's a common struggle I encounter in conversations—a sense of loss of direction, leaving many feeling adrift, despondent, and unsure about the future.

This uncertainty often breeds frustration and resentment, manifesting in strained relationships and increasing isolation from the world, often seen in the growing reliance on social media. I found myself in this place during my twenties. I Started on what I believed to be the right path, but life threw unexpected curveballs, leading me to settle for whatever job came my way. Initially I was okay with this, but soon I became dissatisfied, frustrated and often difficult to be around.

Yet, it wasn't my circumstances that needed changing; it was my mindset. Despite attempts to alter my situation, the root of my discontent lay within. I craved a life tailored to my desires, expecting God to grant me what I felt was rightfully mine. But true fulfillment didn't come from external changes; it required an internal transformation.

I longed for a life brimming with vibrancy, but I failed to realize that such a life begins with a heart aligned with God's will.

As Samuel admonished Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22 “And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” Victory in life is found not in striving by our strength, but in surrendering to God’s will.

So then the question we need to answer is how do I live a life that is flourishing and in line with God’s will?

The Marks of the Christian Life:

In 1 Timothy 6:3-16, God underscores the importance of living within His boundaries, contrasting the world's desire for unrestraind freedom, with the necessity of following His commands to know Him and secure eternity with Him.

The only path that will lead to that end, is found in a life lived in obedience to God. Because as we read in 1 Timothy 6:15–16 “which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” He is the one by whom all things exists.

Consequently, disciples embarking on this journey must commit to lives of obedience. Our passage outlines two commands for Christians to follow.

Flee Evil and Pursue Righteousness:

First, the Christian is to “Flee Evil and Pursue Righteousness.” 1 Timothy 6:11 “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”

That which we are to flee from is referenced in 1 Timothy 6:9–10 “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

Paul tells Timothy, you are not to be like the false teachers, who pedal the word of God, who abuse the people of God, and who walk in selfish desires, being lead away from the Lord.

Instead Timothy, you are to walk as a true man of God. For the man of God is one whose life is sold out and given over to God for His good pleasure. The man of God, is distinct from the world. For he does not think like the worldly man, and therefore he does not act like the worldly man. Rather he is God’s man, and therefore, in all that he does he seeks to bring glory to God. This does not mean he does it perfectly, but he seeks to walk in obedience day in and day out and this is where he begins to find direction and purpose for his life.

Furthermore, this man of God has a distinct feature, he flees from evil. His fleeing evil is not because he fears it, rather because he does not want anything to do with it, and be the one who falls into the trap, or snare of the Devil and brought to ruin. Therefore, the man of God, flees from anything that would threaten the message of the Gospel and being able to enjoying true life in Christ, he does as 1 Timothy 6:14 say “to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

This makes me think of Joseph, as he was sold into slavery by his brothers, and brought into the house of Potiphar, only to be challenged by Potiphar’s wicked wife who was trying to seduce him into sleeping with her. And what is this righteous man’s response, he flees. Listen to Genesis 39:12–13 “she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house,”

Therefore, man or women of God, you are keep your house clear of evil and sinful things. We flee from pornography, from unequally yoked relationship, from the love of money, from anger, hatred, sexual sin and whatever else that does not accord with the sound word of God. Meaning these things are, should not, and will not be a habit in your life.

Listen to 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

Why? Because 1 Timothy 6:14–16 “to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” Because he is God and he makes the rules, not us. Because he is sovereign, King, Lord, immortal, and lives in purity!

Furthermore, the man or women of God in their flight from evil, does not run aimlessly, for when we remove evil actions in our lives, we need to replace them something else, otherwise we have a vacuum and something will get sucked into it. If we do not replace them we are likely to fall back into those old sinful habits.

Therefore, the Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 6:11 “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”

What are the new boundary markers that I am going to place in my life? To fulfill this verse, the Christian must actively pursue and embody by the help of the holy Spirit, the virtues and characteristics listed here:

Righteousness: Seek to live in accordance with God's standards of right and wrong, acting justly and uprightly in all areas of life.

Godliness: Strive to maintain a close relationship with God, cultivating a life of devotion, reverence, and piety.

Faith: Trust wholeheartedly in God's promises and truths, demonstrating faithfulness and reliance on Him in all circumstances.

Love: Show genuine love and compassion towards God and others, selflessly serving and caring for those around you.

Steadfastness: Persevere and remain steadfast in the face of trials, challenges, and temptations, holding firm to your faith and convictions.

Gentleness: Exhibit humility, kindness, and gentleness in interactions with others, reflecting the character of Christ in your demeanor and behavior.

Do you want meaning, purpose and direction in your life? Make the pursuit of these characteristics top priority in your life! The Bible says that we are first of all to seek the kingdom of God, and that means cultivating these things in your life.

Fight the Good Fight and Take hold of Eternal life:

The second encouragement that God gives to Timothy and the church is, 1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

The man or women of God is to “fight” and to “take hold”. These are both actions that require a decisive choice to be made. There is no fence sitting, no room here to play both sides. For you must “fight” and “take hold”.

This idea of “fighting the Good fight” is not in the sense of fighting a battle, instead it is more attuned to the constant practice and focus that a high-level athlete has. The focus is on putting in the right amount of effort, and put your energy and focus into the right training.

What we want to avoid as Christians is putting our time and energy into something that does not actually benefit us. You see the training of a top athlete is a scientific endevour. If you are a boxer, you training like a boxer, working on your jab, head movement and foot work. Ali would have been a stumbling elephant instead of floating like a butterfly had he not spent time working on his movement. The Rumble in the Jungle would never had taken place if Ali thought that he could be a pro boxer by only running on the treadmill.

Sadly there are many Christians out there who think they can be mature believers by watching the tv preachers or reading the daily devotional blog sent to their email, all the while neglecting the basic Christian disciplines of Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.

They want to be Ali but have no desire to put in the work, they want all the benefits of maturity without actually being mature. The Bible indicates that if we are to be mature then we must fight, we must put in the effort of living in and under the truth of God, and by the strength of the holy Spirit conforming ourselves to it. For without putting in that effort our lives will not change, we will forever be weak and helpless stuck in our sins.

Therefore you must fight by the strength that the Holy Spirit provide. Here we find in our efforts that we have taken hold of eternal life. It is by walking in obedience that you know you have taken hold of it, it is by fighting the good fight, that you find your life has been hidden in Christ. Because it is not by our strength, will, or desire that we fight and take hold of eternal life.

Philippians 2:12–13“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Conclusion - Praise to the Lord Jesus Christ:

Therefore, we strive, we fight, we seek to take hold of, we pursue righteousness, not because that is the end game. But because our lives are lived for and through Jesus Christ, therefore our work is to his glory. Because….

God is the “Blessed and only Sovereign”:

Under His sovereignty, all creation finds its purpose and fulfillment. He reigns supreme over all things, and His wisdom guides the course of history.

God is “The King of kings and Lord of lords”:

As the ultimate authority, He rules over every ruler and holds sway over every domain. His kingship transcends earthly powers, establishing righteousness and justice throughout the universe.

God is the one “who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has or can see”:

His eternal nature surpasses human comprehension, dwelling in unapproachable light. Though unseen, His presence illuminates the cosmos, filling it with His glory and majesty.

Therefore, 1 Timothy 6:11–12“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Prayer:

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Benediction: