“Fight the good fight of faith” – 1 Timothy 6:12a                   

Scripture reading: 1 Timothy 6:1-21

Our Scripture meditation today reminds us of three vital truths.  There is a fight; it is a fight of faith and it is a good fight. If there were no enemies to faith, there would be no fight to it. We need to know the enemy and in God’s grace confront the enemy. Timothy as a young pastor needed encouragement to keep focused on the raging battle. The good fight of faith is the spiritual conflict with Satan’s kingdom of darkness in which believers are necessarily involved.

As Paul began his letter to his understudy, Timothy, so he concludes it. The gospel is opposed from all sides. The world has declared war against Christ and His Kingdom. All around us the Word of God is ridiculed and spurned. Even within the church at large, the trustworthiness of the Scriptures is questioned and sadly denied. 

We have no option but to take up our post. The Greek word for “fight” gives us the English word “agonize”. It was used in both military and athletic endeavors to describe the concentration, discipline and extreme effort needed to win. Paul urged Timothy to fight, that is, to agonize for Christ’s cause. 

Are you a soldier of the cross, a follower of the Lamb? Do you fear to own His cause, or blush to speak His Name?

Suggestions for Prayer

Ask for ongoing grace to be found faithful in the fight.  

Rev. Peter Vellenga is presently serving as itinerant preacher waiting upon Lord for continued assignment.