Fight the good fight of faith!

(1Timothy 6:12) “Fight the good fight of the faith.”

If I consider creation and the diversity of it and yet the accuracy in which each creature has within themselves their own ability to achieve what is needed for their own survival, I must conclude, that our God reigns and with grandiose power. Who could ever compare with Him, nobody or anything could ever come close to His luminosity. Even Satan as he covered the throne of God as beautiful as he was to behold; “...thus says the Lord GOD: "You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.” (Ezekiel 28:12) – He nevertheless was not perfect in wisdom and therefore when pride entered his heart and he sinned against God, he was cast out of heaven, the scary part of it all, is he took one third of the angels with him. Why? Well the answer is obvious if you look for it. He was perfect in beauty, which means that there was nothing that could have been done to improve his appearance- perfect in beauty was he! It must have been his beauty that lured the angels to follow him and reject the Creator. Even they began to serve the creature and not the creator. “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:20)

Let this be a warning to us, let the beautiful things in life that look to surpass God’s wisdom be shunned and rejected with a vehement desire. Instead of hankering after them, lets us reject them as a healthy man would reject a leper. Not that we should not show the leper compassion, but let us not be so foolish as to ignore the contagious effects of the disease. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1Timothy 6:10-12)

In my stint awhile back as a day trader of the JSE (Johannesburg Stock Exchange) I realise in hindsight that I was lured into thinking that I now had a way to become rich and I ignored that exact warning, whatever the reason may have been, that is irrelevant; our focus must be on things eternal! I am thankful that what I had was taken from me; I lost more than 1.5 million rand over a year. The goodness of God has vigorously dealt with me through my life to teach me these lessons so that through experience I may learn to depend solely upon Him. I do not claim to have arrived, but life goes on and we (believers) are all taught various lessons to become more like our glorious Saviour. Many are hurtful and seem unnecessary at the time, but God is in perfect control and the entire quota of lessons He teaches us are needful.

“The apostle affirms that the love of money is the root of all evil, 1Ti_6:10. What sins will not men be drawn to by the love of money? Particularly this was at the bottom of the apostasy of many from the faith of Christ; while they coveted money, they erred from the faith, they quitted their Christianity, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Observe, [1.] What is the root of all evil; the love of money: people may have money, and yet not love it; but, if they love it inordinately, it will push them on to all evil. [2.] Covetous persons will quit the faith, if that be the way to get money: Which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith. Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, 2Ti_4:10. For the world was dearer to him than Christianity. Observe, Those that err from the faith pierce themselves with many sorrows; those that depart from God do but treasure up sorrows for themselves.

II. Hence he takes occasion to caution Timothy, and to counsel him to keep in the way of God and his duty, and particularly to fulfil the trust reposed in him as a minister. He addresses himself to him as a man of God. Ministers are men of God, and ought to conduct themselves accordingly in everything; they are men employed for God, devoted to his honour more immediately. The prophets under the Old Testament were called men of God. 1. He charges Timothy to take heed of the love of money, which had been so pernicious to many: Flee these things. It ill becomes any men, but especially men of God, to set their hearts upon the things of this world; men of God should be taken up with the things of God. 2. To arm him against the love of the world, he directs him to follow that which is good. Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness: righteousness in his conversation towards men, godliness towards God, faith and love as living principles, to support him and carry him on in the practice both of righteousness and godliness. Those that follow after righteousness and godliness, from a principle of faith and love, have need to put on patience and meekness - patience to bear both the rebukes of Providence and the reproaches of men, and meekness wherewith to instruct gainsayers and pass by the affronts and injuries that are done us. Observe, It is not enough that men of God flee these things, but they must follow after what is directly contrary thereto. Further, What excellent persons men of God are who follow after righteousness! They are the excellent of the earth, and, being acceptable to God, they should be approved of men. 3. He exhorts him to do the part of a soldier: Fight the good fight of faith. Note, Those who will get to heaven must fight their way thither. There must be a conflict with corruption and temptations, and the opposition of the powers of darkness. Observe, It is a good fight, it is a good cause, and it will have a good issue. It is the fight of faith; we do not war after the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, 2Co_10:3, 2Co_10:4. He exhorts him to lay hold on eternal life. Observe, (1.) Eternal life is the crown proposed to us, for our encouragement to war, and to fight the good fight of faith, the good warfare. (2.) This we must lay hold on, as those that are afraid of coming short of it and losing it. Lay hold, and take heed of losing your hold. Hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown, Rev_3:11. (3.) We are called to the fight, and to lay hold on eternal life. (4.) The profession Timothy and all faithful ministers make before many witnesses is a good profession; for they profess and engage to fight the good fight of faith, and to lay hold on eternal life; their calling and their own profession oblige them to this. (Matthew Henry)

Let us be on guard against the distractions of life that so easily take our eyes off the ball. We must reason with sober minds and not be ignorant to the wiles of the devil. May we persevere like the swan and cry out to our God in time of need to rest and lean upon Him, bringing Him glory and exalting our King, the Lord Jesus Christ as He now reigns supremely. Is His reign absolute in our lives?

Signing off

Tyrone