The Good Fight, Pt 1

During those last days of a parent’s life, those conversations with them are precious. You cherish each word. Today we look at a letter written by an aging apostle to a young man who is like his son.

INSIGHTS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX

We flee from danger – a burning building, a tornado, or an oncoming car. Paul instructed Timothy to flee from dangers that could harm his spiritual life. Other Scriptures also warn us to flee. Here are a few of these warnings to believers.

• 1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee sexual immorality.

• 1 Corinthians 10:14 - Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

• 2 Timothy 2:22 - Now flee from youthful lusts.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

When you see temptation coming that could endanger your soul, do you flee? “Fleeing from temptation means we recognize it as an enemy and we go the other way, with no hesitation and no compromise!” (gotquestions.org)

The essence of temptation is the invitation to live independently of God.

Neil T. Anderson

The Good Fight, Pt 2

If you are running from danger, how do you know what direction to go? In our devotional for today, Paul tells Timothy what direction he should pursue as he runs from spiritual danger.

INSIGHTS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX

Paul’s first instruction to Timothy was to flee from the dangers found in the Ephesus culture that could harm his soul. (I Timothy 6:11) Paul’s second instruction tells Timothy what direction to flee or run to. Timothy was to pursue or follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Paul's directives to Timothy are not easy. The things that we are to pursue do not come naturally.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Paul understood this and the battle that rages within us. He recognized that the Holy Spirit would empower us to walk in victory. Look at what Paul prays for his fellow believers. “For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner man…” Ephesians 3:14-16.

"When we pray for the Spirit’s help…we will simply fall down at the Lord’s feet in our weakness. There we will find the victory and the power that comes from His love." Andrew Murray

The Good Fight, Pt 3

As a man, do you ever feel like you have a bullseye on your back? Paul recognized that we are engaged in a spiritual battle that never quits. Today, we look at his advice to fight the good fight in our devotional.

INSIGHTS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX

As Paul continues to mentor Timothy, he reminds him that he is a soldier of Jesus Christ engaged in a spiritual battle. Listen to his words from another chapter of Timothy, “This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, … that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” I Timothy 1:18-19

The reason we fight the good fight of faith is that eternal life is at stake. Jesus is the one who gives eternal life, and if we let go of Jesus we can shipwreck our faith. The fight of faith is a fight for eternal life.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

We cannot fight the good fight on our own. We just are not strong enough.. Ephesians 6:10 reminds us “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might”. We need to depend on Jesus 24 hours a day, calling out to him, asking him to help us, asking him for his strength.

Consider Paul’s words as he neared the end of his life. May his words challenge you to keep on fighting that good fight. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith,” II Timothy 4:7

The Good Fight, Pt 4

When our special forces are sent out on a mission, they have a battle plan and specific orders. Paul now gives Timothy that battle plan for the spiritual warfare and Good Fight that we as Christians face. Join us as we finish this series on the Good Fight.

INSIGHTS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX

Paul identified our mission for us as we engage in this Good Fight. (I Timothy 6:14-21)

1. “To keep this commandment without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ”. We are to obey all that Scripture teaches so that we do not discredit our witness remaining faithful until Jesus returns.

2. To keep instructing, teaching, and building truth into the lives that God has put into our care.

3. To guard that deposit, the precious Word, that we are entrusted with.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

The Gospel is under attack in almost every quadrant of our society. Romans 1:16 identifies the reason for this attack - the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

In another passage in II Timothy 1:13-14, Paul charges us to “retain the standard of sound words you have heard from me… guard through the Holy Spirit, the treasure which has been entrusted to you”. Men, stand firmly on the Scriptures. Let nothing move you. Stand guard!

"The Bible's power rests upon the fact that it is the reliable, errorless, and infallible Word of God." Chuck Colson