Fight the Good Fight

Even as he has won the war we are called into battle. The defeated enemy is lashing out to do as much damage as he can before he is finally put down. Paul writes to the Ephesian church:

Ephesians 6:10–13 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

As Paul begins the conclusion of his letter to Timothy he addresses him directly and challenges him to fight in this battle.

Let’s read today’s passage together as we consider what it means to follow our Lord, the king of kings, into battle.

READ

1 Timothy 6:11–16 ESV

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 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. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 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.

Satan’s goal is to sideline you.

Satan, his demons, and the world system they utilize has one goal for the Christian . . . make you ineffective.

They will tempt people to sin.

They will destroy people with health problems or moral failure.

They will fatten people on the pleasures of the world so comfort is too sweet to let go of.

They will bring tragedy in order to build bitterness.

They will sow division, discord, and doubt in order to breed hate, anger, and unforgiveness.

Paul reminds Timothy of an important strategy in our battle.

Flee These Things

Look at Paul’s words to Timothy in the beginning of verse 11.

1 Timothy 6:11 (ESV)

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things....

What is Timothy to flee? Paul is referring back to comments he just made in regards to false teachers.

By calling out the false teachers Paul has also warned Timothy to:

Teach no different doctrine.

Do not be prideful

Do not fall into useless controversies and quarrels.

Guard against envy, dissensions, slander, evil suspicions, and combative irritations.

Do not use God or the things of God for personal gain.

Do not replace God with money or the evils it can lead to.

Often, we are brought low by our own willful decision to sin. It is our job to get away from the things that drag us into sin and damage the reputation of Christ and his Church.

So the first instruction is to flee the distractions. Don’t fall into the trap or snare of the enemy. A good verse that reminds us of this is Hebrews 12:1

Hebrews 12:1 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

So now that we have put sin in it’s place, we need to get moving.

Don’t stand Idle

The battle we face as Christians requires that we stand firm in conviction and active in our faith.

Look at 1 Timothy 6:11-12

1 Timothy 6:11–12 (ESV)

11 ....Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

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.

Pursuit

What are these parts of my Christian life?

Righteousness - is the behavior that reflects godly character.

Godliness - is the inner motive that drives righteous behavior.

Faith - keeps us steady when circumstances aren’t kind or clear.

Love - keeps us steady even when others aren’t loving or godly.

Steadfastness - keeps us from giving up when we are getting warn down by this life and the attacks of the enemy.

Gentleness - reminds us of the character of Christ who in humility served and became a ransom for many . . . even his enemies.

How do i pursue these things?

Discipline your life through dependence on the Holy Spirit and personal resolve.

Action Plan

Keep a healthy schedule. (priorities)

Study the Bible (Truth)

Be in Fellowship (Accountability and Encouragement)

Pray consistently (Submission and Peace)

Serve diligently (Purpose)

Fight

Now that our focus is on the right things, we turn back to the battle.

Recognize that the life of faith is not an easy one and there is a lot at stake.

Paul reminds Timothy of the importance of this fight in verses 12-16

1 Timothy 6:12–16 ESV

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. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 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.

In these verses Paul calls Timothy to engage the battle and issues a charge to Timothy. This charge is made in the sight of God who gives life and of Jesus who stood firm by faith though his life was on the line. Jesus set the example of doing exactly the opposite of what the world would expect. Often we must stand in the same way. Here are the things Paul calls upon Timothy to do that we a challenged with as well.

1. Fight the most important battle. (Vs. 12)

Our battle is not to win for our sake but for the sake of him who called us. Our fight is to stand firm in the truth when the world is calling for our heads.

2. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called. (vs. 12)

Live life in knowledge of your salvation. Live life as a victorious child of God. Taking hold and clinging to that truth sets us free from the weariness of this world.

3. Remember the confession that you made. (vs. 12)

Don’t go back on your word. Don’t drop the ball. If you fall, get up. If you sin, confess. If you are weak, he is strong. If you lack, ask. His will for you is perfect and you proclaimed your allegiance to Him . . . do not turn back. Remember the passion with which you first believed.

4. Protect the Truth from your failings and the attacks of the enemy. (vs. 14)

Guard the image of Christ and message of Truth but not living hypocritically. Don’t call yourself a Christian and then play on Satan’s team. Don’t speak a truth and live a lie.

5. Live in the victory that is yours in Christ. (vs. 14-16)

Knowing that He will return in victory and set all things right allows us to lift our heads and weather any storm.

Jesus is going to return. Our victory is secure.

Who’s side will you stand on?

Choose: Good or evil.

Galatians 6:8 ESV

8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

What are you building into your life in order to fight the good fight of the faith?

Ask the Lord today to reveal your tur allegiance. Be honest with him and with yourself.

If there is sin, confess that sin and get right before God.

If there is weariness, turn to him and find strength, lean on your brothers and sisters and find help.

If there is distraction, remove it.

Then fill your life with an action plan.