FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH

Paul wrote to his son in the faith, saying, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses." (I Timothy 6:12) Why is it called the "good" fight of faith?" It's a good fight because it's a fight we always win! I John 5:4 bears witness to this Truth declaring, "For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith!" We cannot be defeated if we walk by faith. God knows that...the devil also knows that! Consequently, when the devil attacks us, he always, first and foremost, targets our faith.

Think about it. Why isn't the whole world saved? Why are thousands upon thousands of people perishing every day? Is it because they aren't walking in love? No! They can't walk in love unless the love of God is shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5) God's love can't dwell within the heart of a man who's not been born again. People are perishing because it's "by grace we are saved THROUGH FAITH; and that not of ourselves: it is a gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8)

Paul told Timothy to fight the food fight of faith because therein he would live a victorious life. Shortly before Paul's death, he wrote another letter to Timothy declaring, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH!" (II Timothy 4:6-7) Paul fought a good fight because he fought the good fight of faith. Notice that throughout his life and ministry he faced a struggle. He had to contend with the forces of darkness arrayed against him. His fight was against Satanic forces whose mission was to keep him out of the arena of faith. In Ephesians 6:12, he wrote, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS in high places." In II Corinthians 2:11, he also wrote, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: we are not ignorant of his devices." We can keep Satan from getting an advantage of us if we are well informed of his "devices"...the strategies he has deployed against us.
 
While reading the Bible with my precious wife the other day, I noticed that Paul mentions "faith" at least five times within the third chapter of II Thessalonians which is a relatively short chapter containing only 13 verses. He writes, "And we sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in (spreading) the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, to strengthen and establish and to exhort and comfort and encourage you IN YOUR FAITH. That no one (of you) should be disturbed and beguiled and led astray by these afflictions and difficulties (to which I have referred). For you yourselves know that this is (unavoidable in our position and must be recognized as) our appointed lot. For even when we were with you, (you know) we warned you plainly beforehand that we were to be pressed with difficulties and made to suffer affliction, just as to your own knowledge it has (since) happened." (I Thess. 3:2-4 Amp.)

Paul was obviously concerned about the condition of their faith in the wake of the "afflictions", "difficulties" and "suffering" they were enduring. In light of their persecutions, he sent Timothy with the Gospel to strengthen, establish, exhort, comfort and encourage them in their faith.
Who do you suppose was behind all the afflictions, difficulties and suffering they were encountering? SATAN FOR SURE!! What was the purpose behind this strategy arrayed against them?

Satan understands that faith is the victory that overcomes the world. He also knows that in order to walk by faith, a person cannot walk by sight. The Word of God declares, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." (II Corinthians 5:7) To walk by faith, our life cannot be dominated by our senses. We cannot be moved by what we feel or see. So long as Satan can keep us mindful of how we feel and the circumstances coming against us, he can keep us out of the arena of faith and defeat us every time. Satan buffets our minds, our bodies, our families, our finances and everything else about us so we'll become fixated on the problem and not God's promise. He stirs up strife in the home so he can create division, knowing that a house divided cannot stand. He brings persecution when we take a stand for righteousness. We are not ignorant of his devices. If we look beyond our senses, knowing that we wrestle not against flesh and blood (that which is seen) we can tap into the spiritual force that overcomes the world, EVEN OUR FAITH!
 
We don't have to be defeated. Paul wrote, "For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; WHILE WE LOOK NOT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN, BUT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN: for the things which are seen are temporal (brief and fleeting); but the things which are not seen are eternal." (II Corinthians 4:17-18)

Take a deep dive into the Word of God. Lay hold of His promise (hope) concerning your situation. Stand fast on that Word of hope. Put that Word in your mind and in your mouth. Make a profession of your faith. Declare it. "Hold fast the profession of your hope without wavering; FOR HE IS FAITHFUL THAT PROMISED!" (Hebrews 10:23) HE WILL SURELY DO IT!!