Fight The Good Fight

Do you think that you ought to be prepared to fight? Is there a time? Are we in a time when it seems like the dark side, evil is spreading very quickly across our country? I certainly think so. The behavior of many is so outside biblical norms and so off base on many subjects that it is hard to believe it. What, yes I know that the Bible said that it would be so in the end times. People would do what tickled their fancies. It seems that selfishness and entitlement mentality is soaring.  Really, what happened to the Scriptural basis upon which our country was founded? Well, the time is coming and it is already hear requiring us as Christians to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 4:16). The Bible talks of fighting over 250 times. Why? Because the world is dark and we must fight to bring the light of the world for others to see. But they will fight it from fear and arrogance and pride of their own desires. This makes sharing risky, something you have probably learned many times over.

The Apostle Paul taught his protégé Timothy, to fight for it, truth, like he had. Paul was reaching the end of his life as he was imprisoned for teaching the truth of his faith about Jesus Christ. “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8). And he did finish it well preaching the Gospel so that all of the Roman prison guards had hear it and came to faith. What a loyal and trusted servant of the Lord. He did not fear or fall away; he grew in Spirit-filled power in Christ. This story of storms and imprisonment, stoning, flogging from the religious leaders is graphically delineated in the Book of Acts. But God’s providence to use circumstances for His glory is clear.

We don’t have to strike back when someone persecutes us. Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount that ours is the Kingdom of Heaven. We are to rejoice and be glad for our reward is great in heaven. This is counter cultural, especially now. This does not mean be silent, but fight justly with humility and kindness as Micah 6:8 teaches us.