The Good Fight of Faith
Fight the good fight of faith, layhold 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 NKJV)
The nature of the Christian mission is likened to a fight.
In Ephesians 6:12 Paul wrote that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but “against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” The good fight of faith involves coming into the conflict against the enemy, yet it is a fight that they bring to us, one that we should not venture out ourselves to engage in directly (see Jude 1:8–11). We have strength and authority to stand against the onslaught of spiritual forces. The nature of this spiritual fight is one of truth versus falsehood, so we stand upon the truth of God.
In 1 Corinthians 9:25–27 Paul compared the Christian life to one of fighting against himself, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.” Every one who competes knows that regardless of the competition on the field, that he must also master his own weaknesses. Every soldier on the battlefield must fight not only the enemy but his own fears as well. So the good fight of faith is also one that is against our own sinful nature. The solution is not to try and improve it, but to “crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts” (Gal. 5:24).
This good fight also involves putting ourselves in harms way for the sake of the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 15:32 Paul spoke of wrestling wild animals in Ephesus, and some have thought he spoke of some gladiatorial combat, but it seems more likely to me that it was simply a reference to the hazards of travel in that day and age, that on the road wild animals attacked his travel group. We know of many hardships he faced. In addition to persecutions — “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned” (2 Cor. 11:24–25) — Paul faced the rigors and dangers of travel — “Three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren” (2 Cor. 11:25–26).
Life without risks is impossible for all, and not only for the Christian. The businessman as well as the common worker risks similar things — dangers of traffic accidents in just traveling to his job site, as well as the danger of accidents at work. So the Christian’s risks in this area are not entirely unique, but they are done for the sake of God and for the extension of the gospel. But a Christian — whether he is a minister or a lay person — should be willing to go out of his way for the sake of the gospel, for the cause of love. A safe life should not be our goal so much as a fruitful and meaningful life for God.
Someone once said, “It is not a fight until someone has thrown a punch.” And the Christian fight of faith involves some punches thrown. Yet we do not fight in anger — “the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20) — but with the truth of God. When the enemy throws things at us in anger and hate, we respond in love and truth. Courage is absolutely essential, and discipline, teamwork, and utter dependence on the power of God. We do not fight alone — we fight with God and with His people.
Are you engaged in this good fight?
