FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!

1 TIMOTHY 6:11-12: “But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.” NLT

OBSERVATION: Who can forget one of the most iconic moments in present-day history? Regardless of your political affiliation, there is something about the day Donald Trump was shot that resonates with everyone. In a tragic event where one man was killed protecting his family, another would face death, narrowly escaping its throes, and rise up with clenched fist, shouting…

FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!

Why do my thoughts go to this event when I read the words of the Apostle Paul to young Timothy? It is because of the contrast I see in the life of one who is willing to die for his political beliefs, without wavering, and God’s call to me as a believer to have this same tenacity about my spiritual beliefs, and the call to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I need to be willing to lay everything down for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and…Fight, Fight, Fight, the good fight for the true faith!

Paul had warned Timothy in the preceding verses about the entrapments of this life that have derailed so many believers.

1 Timothy 6:9-10: “But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” NLT

There is nothing inherently wrong with desiring a good job, a nice home, and a comfortable life. Yet, when these desires exceed our desire for the Kingdom of God, when money becomes a god rather than a tool, when the hope of accomplishment drives our life rather than the leading of the Holy Spirit, we have wandered from the faith. This is a dangerous thing!

Our calling, our goal, and our destination are not found in what we accumulate or achieve. It is found in what we become. Our goal is the high upward calling of God in Christ Jesus! The call is Jesus Himself. It is to believe in Him, follow Him, and become like Him. It is seeking first His Kingdom and His Righteousness as we lay down everything else. It is rising up by the grace of God, standing against the pull of an ungodly culture, and as we surrender all at the foot of His Cross, yelling…

FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!

We don’t fight against flesh and blood. We don’t shake our fists and yell at the devil. We fight the good fight of faith by putting Jesus first in all things and by walking after the Holy Spirit, seeking His wisdom and will in everything we do. We cling to the truth of His Word and walk in grace-empowered obedience. Though we may fail at times, by the grace of God, we run to Jesus Christ to find forgiveness, cleansing, and grace to rise up once again.

We don’t fight in our own strength. We don’t fight for an earthly Kingdom. We don’t fight aimlessly. We fight the good fight of faith. We look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. We remember the testimony of His life at He stood before Pontius Pilate and proclaimed,

John 18:37: “Pilate said, ‘So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” NLT

Jesus came to testify to the truth. Jesus is the truth. His life was a living proclamation of the will and heart of the Father. Jesus laid it all down for the truth. Paul calls Timothy to do the same. When the curtain on this life has closed, what will our lives be remembered for? Will it be all of our accomplishments or will it be this one simple thing…

He lived for Jesus! He lived for the truth!

I will never forget the words that are etched in the gravestone of Billy Graham. As I visited his library and walked in the garden where his body was laid to rest until the great Day of the Resurrection, I read these simple words…

PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! JOHN 14:6

Billy Graham took Paul’s words to Timothy to heart. He fought the good fight of faith and asked to be remembered by the only thing that truly mattered to him in this life. He was a preacher of the truth. He was a proclaimer of the Gospel. He was fully surrendered to the will of God for his life. And, I believe, as he took his last breath, these words sounded from his spirit…

FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!

Lord, grant me the grace to do the same!

In Jesus’ Name!