The Good Fight: 1 Timothy 6:11-16

When you hear the word fight, what first comes to mind? Perhaps, to get on the defence, right? No one wants to lose a fight, and fights can be brutal, bloody, deadly, and may result in injuries or even death. Yet, this is the word the Apostle Paul used in his first letter to Timothy. He begins 1 Timothy 6:11 by saying: But you, man of God, flee from all this (lack of contentment and the love of money that he mentioned in the earlier verses), and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. FIGHT the good FIGHT of "the Faith."

This type of fight Paul is speaking about is the “self-discipline” fight. It is the fight that protects us from falling into temptation and leading us down a path of ruin and destruction. It is the fight that means, at the end, we will be joyful with all the bruises and punches we received along the way. If you ask an athlete about his/her training process, he/she may explain it as a battle. Physical training has its mental and physical challenges such as weariness and procrastination.

Paul said: Fight the good fight of "the faith." The term "the faith" is singular. The fight is for the unshakable belief in the Lord Jesus Christ that secured our salvation and is moving us from grace to grace and glory to glory. Today, there are countless faiths and doctrines that are distinguishable from "the faith" that is rooted in God's love, grace, mercy and goodness. Therefore, anything that has an objective to sway us away from the Lord is an enemy of "the faith."

Money can become a resource used to draw us away from "the faith." Lack of contentment, youthful lust, and the desires of our flesh which can plunge us into temptation, ruin and destruction. We must follow Paul's instructions to "Take hold of the eternal life to which we were called." To do so, we must fight the good fight of the faith. We must study the Word of God to increase in the knowledge of God, knowledge of who we are, where we are (e.g., seated in Christ at the right hand of the Father), what we have in Christ, and what we can do. To fight strategically, we must have an objective. Athletes don't merely train to run in the Olympics. They train to win the race.

Everything in the world around us are challenges to "the faith" we embrace. So, arm yourself with a fighting spirit. When you rise in the morning, remember, you are about to enter a battle at work, at school, among friends, in the marketplace, and also… ready for this one… it can be a battle in your very home. So, eyes open, get dressed with your armour on, and fight.

“To take hold of eternal life”. This gives an idea of claiming the benefits of your salvation. Take them, grab them, fight for them as if you know your name is written on them. Peace and joy are benefits that circumstances and people will try to steal from you. Therefore, let's Fight and take hold of what the Lord has made available for us in Christ.

 

R.G.  29/09/25

Image: Pixabay.com

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