SUNDAY NIGHT WITH EKURWE
2nd October 2022
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 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 6:11-12 NIV)
In the concluding admonition of part one, we remarked that Christians should delight and take comfort from the fact that experiencing an inward spiritual fight is a good sign, as it is evidence that we are on the right path to arrive at God-approved holiness. That knowledge should strengthen our resolve to fight the good fight of faith.
In continuation, two great marks identify the faithful Christian–inner spiritual warfare and inner sense of peace. This fight is a fight of faith and is different from any other known to humans; it is utterly unlike the conflict of this world. It does not depend on physical strength and does not use the military weapon.
Success in this spiritual warfare depends on spiritual faith. Success depends entirely on believing the word of God –the Bible and in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done. It means we should not look at our weaknesses and the strength of the world against us, but by faith only and on the finished work of Christ that gave us victory over self, sin, world and Satan. How well you fight depends on the degree of dependency and faith. Whoever has the most confidence will be the happiest Christian soldier, the more the trust, the more and sweeter the victory.
Why, then, is it called the good fight of faith? The fight is good surely– it may seem strange to use the word ‘good’ for any warfare. But the Christian fight is good because there is no evil in it, and it is the only route to a life of holiness.
It is a good fight because it is fought under the best of generals. The leader and the Commander of all faithful Christian is Jesus Christ. He has perfect wisdom, infinite love and Almighty power. He never makes mistakes in judgement or makes a useless move. You could take His instructions and strategies to heart, and you are sure of an expected result.
It is a good fight because it is fought with the best help. The Holy Spirit lives in each believer, no one goes to this war in their strength. Threefold help that will never fail–God the father guides, God the Son prays, and God the Holy Spirit teaches.
It is a good fight because it is fought with the best of promises. He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1: 6 affirms; “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
It is a good fight because it will have the best results. No soldier of Christ is abandoned or left dead on the battlefield. Every believer is, without exception, more than a conqueror through Him that loved us. (Romans 8:37 says; “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (NIV)
The Christian fight is good because it benefits those who fight it. Earthly war brings out the worst side of human nature; they harden consciences and destroy morality, but spiritual warfare brings out the best in the believer. It brings humility and lessens selfishness and worldliness and draw believers to think much of spiritual things.
It is a good fight because it does good for the world. An army fighting its way across a country damages that country and its people. But Christian soldiers are blessing to others wherever they live. They are salt and light and people are better off from their interaction and friendship. Even non-believers and the world are appreciative of that reality.
The fight is good because it ends in a glorious reward. Who can estimate the good things our Commander has in store for all His faithful soldiers? Whatever He gives will last forever, for it is beyond the reach of death.
Finally, let us conclude with this solemn admonition–if you are not already a Christian soldier, become one now. Why be a slave to this world and its way, while there is room for you in Christ’s army–if you are ready to fight. Fight the good fight of faith so that you may be happy and safe. The fight of faith is against the enslaving power and influences of sin, the fight to live a life of obedience and stay true to our profession, whatever the case. The fight against the enticement of mundane and transient things at war with our soul and our salvation in Christ.
Let us not forget that without fighting, there can be no holiness while we live and no crown of glory when we die. Fight the good fight of faith and take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.
Keep a date with us next Sunday
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