Scripture:
I Timothy 6:11-16 NKJV
[11] But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. [12] 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. [13] I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, [14] that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, [15] which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, [16] who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
Observation:
I’m not sure if you can see the theme in Paul’s writings, but it’s really clear to me, and I can point it out in many different places. Paul knew that this was going to be a fight. Now maybe that’s because of that day on the road of surrender. When he found himself flat on his back, giving up everything he knew for a life of uncertainty, as he said, “What is it you want me to do, LORD?” Paul completely understood the weight of what was going on, and he did his best to equip not only young Timothy for the fight he would face as he stepped into faith, but us as well. In fact, I find the words he wrote so many years ago inspiring for me today. He knew it was not going to be easy. So let’s take a look at what he wanted us to know. As we know this letter was written to a young pastor named Timothy to encourage him and build him up as he began to step into his calling. As we begin to look, we honestly have to know what it is that Paul wants Timothy to flee from. That is spoken about in verses 6 through 10 in this same chapter. His desire is for Timothy to be content with what GOD has given him. Stealing him away from the love of money and the temptation that comes along with that. This has caused many to stray from the faith through greed and lust. Paul tells Timothy you can’t take it with you. As he continues to teach his young protege. His intentions are to flee from the love of money and fight the good fight of faith. Laying hold of the eternal life to which he was called. Reminding him that the confession he made was in the sight of others. What Paul is saying is that people are watching. They saw his stand for Christ, and are paying close attention to how he conducts himself. One of those people was one of the higher-ups in the Roman government, Pontius Pilate. How things went from this point forward in Timothy’s life and the ministry he was stepping into would shape how others viewed faith in Jesus Christ. Including but not limited to the Romans. Paul made sure that Timothy knew that the Romans were watching how his faith would play out. There was one watching that mattered even more. The KING of KING’S and LORD of LORD’S, who would manifest HIMSELF in due time. For Timothy to keep his faith was not a request, it was a command from Paul. He could not waver; he had to be solid, stand firm, plant his feet; there could be no question. He wasn’t to be distracted by money, power, or lust. He had to stay focused on the one who gave it all for him to be in the spot he was in. Paul knew that it would be a struggle to do that. He knew that things would look rough, and the enemy was crafty. He knew that when times got hard, it would be easy to slip away from the target and change focus. He knew that the enemy would push against what Timothy said he believed. That’s why his instructions were, “fight the good fight of faith.” He knew that things would look like they were not going to work out but at just the right time, in perfect measure, Jesus would come through and nothing else would matter.
Application:
I don’t know about anyone else, but sometimes I just need to be reassured that what I’m doing is right. I mean, I know what I signed on for, and I knew it would be a fight, but sometimes when you’re in a fight, it looks like you are getting beaten up, but at just the right time, a blow will be landed that’s a game-changer. Holding on until you see the opening is the key. You just can’t lie down. Changing the position you’re fighting from makes all the difference. GOD has never lost a fight and the fight of faith is one HE is fighting for you. When you put your trust in what HE said over what it looks like, you just can’t go wrong. I’m going to be honest. Sometimes it feels like I’m getting my backside handed to me and im all along in this thing. But at just the right time something will happen and change the whole situation. In this fight, the key is to keep your eyes on the one who paid it all. As HE calls you out of the boat you can’t be paying attention to the storm. We have to put on our spiritual blinders. Getting distracted by what things look like changes what you think you are standing on. If your feet are firmly planted on the rock. It’s impossible to sink in the water. I want to fight the good fight. Knowing what GOD said and not changing direction when the storm starts to try to take my attention. Satan will always push against what GOD has said. He will always try to get you to doubt what you know to be the truth. He is a deceiver, the father of lies. He will do whatever it takes to steal your affection away from GOD kill your dreams and destroy any hope you have. But I want to tell you this. It’s a fight and you can’t give in to his tactics. All of his lies will be exposed at some point and those who stood on the rock will give all the glory to our Father. It’s not about money, it’s about storing your treasure in heaven. Putting God’s word into action, loving the least of these, looking out for those whom the world has cast aside, and saying HE died for all of us, not just the beautiful people. When it’s all over, HE is not going to ask you how much money you had, or even how many people you helped. What HE is going to ask you is what did you do with my SON? Last thing and then we will pray. The bible says it’s impossible to please GOD without faith. Faith is believing what you can’t see so much that you take action despite what it looks like. Fight the good fight. Don’t give up on what GOD’S word says. It’s the only truth. We are living in a time when you can’t believe what you see and will have to put all your weight on one thing, and its something your can’t physically see. It’s going to take faith.
Prayer:
Father, you saw all of it coming way before we were even created. Before you spoke the first words, “Let there be light.” You looked out over time that had not yet been created and saw the beginning from the end. The plan that you put together from that point has brought us to where we are today, and will continue to bring us through until your son comes back. We thank you for seeing us and making a way. You are the author and finisher of the one thing it takes to please you, and we want to live in a manner that pleases you. As we fight this fight all we can ask is that you continue to lead us. Help us to hold fast to you. We do not believe that this fight is in vain. But what we know is that your plan is good and as we follow where you lead. You will provide all that we need. We want to be found faithful to what you have told us. Forgive us for where our faith has failed and keep us steadfast focused on you. Its in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.