SATURDAY May 17, 2025
Fight the Good Fight
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12
Paul had given Timothy sound advice. He was to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and gentleness. The Apostle continued to exhort this young pastor using a strong military phrase, fight the good fight. Paul knew Timothy would face fierce spiritual warfare. In the battle, he had a hard road ahead of him, and, at the forefront of his heart and mind, he needed to lay hold of eternal life. The words lay hold literally mean “to seize upon.” The Vine’s Dictionary explains it as “practically appropriating all the benefits, privileges and responsibilities involved in the possession of it.” Timothy started well in the ministry; he had a good witness. Now he had a great responsibility of continuing in the faith, to minister with an eternal perspective, and to finish well.
Did you know that spiritual warfare is happening all around us? The devil tries to hinder the work of God; he fights against us. That is why, in Ephesians 6:11-18, we are exhorted to put on the whole armor of God:
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit...
I leave you with three things: Fight the good fight, build your life upon eternity, and continue to be a good witness to others.
Fight the good fight of faith, and God will give you spiritual mercies.
~George Whitefield~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
