1 Timothy 6:12 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.
There are two fights we can involve ourselves in, while here on earth. The first is that of the world; the fight to gain as much of what the world has to offer. This fight, in the end, no matter how hard we fight it, will leave us empty, because no matter how much we gain, when death comes knocking on our door, no amount of fame or fortune will save us. They will put us in the ground the same way they put a poor person's body in the ground. Sadly, it will also begin an eternity of inescapable pain and suffering. The other fight is the one we are called to as born again believers. It is the one where we are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Nowhere in God's Word are we told, or promised, that our Christian life would be an easy one. On the contrary, Jesus promised that in this world we would have tribulation, but promised that in Him we have victory (John 16:33). As a matter of fact, we are told in 2 Timothy that we must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus (v. 3). We must not entangle ourselves in the affairs of this life, but please the Lord who enlisted us as His soldier (v. 4). For this reason we have been given Spiritual Armor to put on each day, as we go out to battle. However, we are not to fight this fight in our own strength (or we will face certain defeat), but be strong in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10-20). We must not fight this fight like someone who beats the air, but fight as one who is disciplined, and brings his body into subjection (1 Corinthians 9:24-2). The only way to avoid being hindered in this fight is to keep our eyes on Jesus, forgetting the past, reaching forward, and pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). Know this, that our enemy, the devil, will fight us every step of the way. He will fight dirty, and will try to discourage us. He will lie to us, persecute us, and even threaten our lives. However, Revelation 2:10 tells us, "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer." The end of that verse admonishes us to be faithful until death, and promises that Jesus will give us the crown of life as a reward, if we endure. So today, which battle will you choose to fight, the one that leads to eternal pain, suffering, and punishment, or the one that lays hold of life eternal in Christ Jesus, for His glory?
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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