FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life..."  (1 Timothy 6:12)

When we as Christians think of spiritual warfare, we usually think of our struggle with the devil for the salvation of our souls.  Scripture tells us that we are wrestling against principalities, powers, the rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places.  In the face of such resistance, it is very natural for us to forget that this battle is not ours, but the Lord's, and it has already been settled once and for all.  The words of God to Jehoshaphat, King of Judah and his people, are as true today as they were in 896 B.C., "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s."  (2 Chronicles 20:15b)  Our challenge, then, is simply to stand in the victory already purchased for us by the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The devil's most effective tactic is to convince us that we are powerless against his superior strength.  He lies to God's children and tells them that they cannot overcome sin, resist temptation, or be like Jesus; but God Himself has said, "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."  (John 1:12)  It therefore becomes a fight of faith to believe that our enemy has been vanquished in Christ, and that we now stand in that victory with Him. 

The words of Martin Luther still ring true today:

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

We all are tempted by evil.  We all have thoughts that come to us that make us doubt our commitment.  We must, however, learn to recognize these as the fiery darts of Satan.  Years ago, I heard a dear sister in the Lord who was known for her holy life testify how that she walked by a downtown bar and was overwhelmed with a desire to go in and have a few drinks.  Such honesty was at first shocking, but she went on to speak about how the enemy attacks us in our minds, in our flesh, and yes, even in our dreams.  His intent is that we believe that we have not been changed from that old nature that did indeed desire those things, and that we would yield to the temptation and commit sin.  Knowing that he is like a lion who seeks to devour us, we must resist the devil steadfastly in the faith realizing that all of our brothers and sisters in Christ are experiencing the same trials.  (1 Peter 5:8,9)  Because of this, it is vital that we learn to be renewed in the spirit of our minds by the Word of Truth, and that we recognize that we must constantly be putting on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  (Ephesians 4:20-24)  We stand complete in Christ because all the fullness of God dwells in Him, and we have received Him, and have believed in Him.  "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"  (1 John 5:4,5)  Faith will quench all the fiery darts that the enemy may fling at us!   

Let us fight the good fight of faith, let us, "Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."  (Jude 1:3)  Do not allow Satan to beat you down with his lies.  You are a new creation in Christ!  It is time you believe it!

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