[1 Timothy 6:12 KJV] “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
Many years ago, Apostle Paul, one of the finest, wrote a letter to Timothy, his son in the faith exhorting him to fight the good fight of faith. He further instructed him to lay hold on to eternal life; that is to say, he must engage in the combat with eternity in mind.
Most often than not, we fight the good fight but forget to lay hold on to eternal life. We fight but we lose the reason why we began the fight anyway. I pray that as you decide to fight the good faith of faith, you will lay hold on to eternal life. Eternal life is the reason we started this thing in the first place. We must quit ourselves as men and press on in the fight of faith.
How did he do it?
[Acts 20:17-25, 27-32, 34-38 KJV]
“And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:“
“and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.“
“And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.”
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.“
“And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.“
“Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”
“Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.“
“And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.”
- He fought as an officer in an army. He saw himself as a member of an army. He did not fight as one man who is so independent of everyone. He fought in a group as an officer in an army. You can fight the good fight of faith when you learn to be part of an army.
- He served the Lord with humility of mind and with many tears. Where are our teary eyes? We have no tears because we are serving in our comfort zone. We are not stretching beyond measure. Anyone serving and stretching knows the tears.
- He worked diligently day and night to fulfil his calling at no charge to any man. Work hard with a vision to support missions and charity with your increase.
- If you can fight the good fight of faith, you must be ready to endure hardship.
Stay blessed
