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.
1 Timothy 6:12
This was penned by the apostle Paul who had fought both the good fight and the bad fight. In his former way of living, Paul (who at that time was known as Saul), encountered Jesus on his way to persecute Christians. Jesus said to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (Acts 26:14b).
A goad is a spiked stick used for driving cattle. Kicking against the goads is a word picture of Saul resisting Jesus, to the point of inflicting unnecessary pain on himself.
How often do we do the same thing?
The Lord may pull the reins – to steer us away from sin, away from bad habits, away from destruction – but in our desire to have it our way, we stubbornly resist and pain ensues.
Paul knew the contrast between fighting against faith and fighting for faith. Both are a struggle, both take energy and stamina, but only the good fight results in peace. Peace in the middle of the struggle, surpassing human understanding. The good fight is the fight to keep the faith. Faith in Jesus and His gospel.
In one of his earlier letters, Paul describes the armor of God. A piece of this armor that is specifically fitted to our feet is “the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). When we put on our shoes to fight the good fight of faith, we actually carry peace with us to the battlefield.
If we’re not fighting for our faith, we’re in danger of drifting away from it. We must be alert. As the writer of Hebrews warns:
We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Hebrews 2:1
Some things are worth fighting for, others are not. Wisdom is needed to discern between the two. We fight for what we value and for what we want to keep. Paul makes it clear – faith is worth fighting for and we are not in the battle alone. “To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:29). Jesus has already won the victory for us, we must take hold of it and not let go!
What are you convinced is worth fighting for? These are on the top of my list:
- Faith
- Life
- Family
- Marriage
- Purity
- Truth
- Honor
- Joy
- Purpose
- Character
Let’s evaluate our actions to see where our energy, time and money are spent. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” (Hebrews 12:11-12).
At the end of his life, Paul was able to say:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7
May we be people who keep the faith. Living a life of eternal purpose is worth the fight. Like a butterfly emerging from the cocoon, our struggle brings beautiful freedom and reward. Let’s purpose to put our faith in action, to pay attention, to respond to the Lord’s correction, to spur others on, and to choose our battles well.
At the end of our lives – when our time here is drawing to a close – may we be able to say, “I have kept the faith.” And when we have finished our race, may we each hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
