TOPIC:“It's Time for Christians to Fight”
TEXT:I Timothy 6:11-12; II Timothy 4:6-8
“Fight the good fight of faith” (I Timothy 6:12)
“I have fought a good fight” (II Timothy 4:7)
It goes without saying that the calling of the Christian is to a life of peace. Peace with their neighbor. Peace within their own families. Peace with those with whom we work and play. Peace with those of other races and nations. And especially, peace with those in the household of faith. Is not this the Christian's duty that the Apostle Paul wrote about to the believers at Rome: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). We as Christians are called upon to be the peace-makers of the world.
But on the other hand, the Bible plainly teaches that the Christian is in a battle that must be fought. This truth can be clearly seen by the bold and militant language used by the Apostle Paul. He writes to the Christians at Ephesus: “Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Again he declares: “Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day” (Ephesians 6:13). Now those are fighting words.
The Christian must be willing to fight when called upon by God to do so. Let me mention in this message three areas in which the Christian is called into conflict and to conquest.
First of all, there is a battle to fight in the realm of the PHYSICAL. For this truth let me turn your attention to Paul's words as found in I Corinthians chapter 9 verses 26 and 27 where we read these words: “So fight I, not as one that beateth the air; But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection.” Phillips is superb here: “I am no shadow boxer; I really fight! I am my body's sternest master.” Here we find Paul's personal battle with his own body.
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