Fight the Good Fight / #HFW (Jul. 12-16)
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
1 Corinthians 9:25-26
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:11-12
God didn’t make us out to be reckless fighters, he wants to be precise. Paul says “You won’t catch me punching the air,” meaning he’s not going to waste energy and time swinging on things that aren’t worth it.
How many times do we focus on things that aren’t worth it?
We choose petty arguments, longterm disagreements, personal issues to get in the way of what God wants us to do. Meanwhile our mental health is in decline, our marriages suffer and the church of Christ put it’s eyes on itself. If we do these things, we are boxers trying to fight the air.
Paul knew what a battle was, he was a soldier who was in charge of hunting down and finding rebels, killers and of course, Christians.
And yet, Paul knew, that fighting for God is the GOOD fight. Getting on our knees to pray for our enemies isn’t just suggested, it’s expected. Jesus tells us not just to pray for them, he says:
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 5:44
Discussion:
Are you wasting energy and time fighting things that don’t matter?
Do you have a disagreement in mind that you should give to God?