When the kids are bickering, you can’t seem to get along with your spouse, or you’re going head-to-head with your boss, fighting never seems good. In fact, more often than not, it generates bad—tension, division, agitation, or worse. Fractured relationships and complete breakups are usually marked by ongoing disagreements, serious quarrels, even irreparable rifts.
Strangely enough, faith is described as “the good fight.” How can that be? A “good fight” does not appear to have its place in our societal, familial, and professional circles.
Nonetheless, 1 Timothy 6:12 contains a clear directive.
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.
Paul says in a second letter to young Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (4:7).
I have always interpreted this to mean we must be properly trained, continually fit, and ceaselessly engaged in the spiritual combat of life. Furthermore, I realize God endows us with adequate armor for the conflict. Ephesians 6 expounds the array of protective pieces:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints
Ultimately, “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).
God’s Provision: The good fight is hard, but our own fortitude and faculty is unnecessary, for the battle is not ours but the Lord’s (2 Chronicles 20:15). He goes before, with, within, beside, and behind us.
Word of the Week: Uphill. The way is arduous, adversarial, and adventurous, at times more demanding and difficult than others, but always an effort. Every day is another struggle …
… and another opportunity for good. What a gift to live in God’s grace, walk in His Spirit, and conquer in Christ!
Abby
