Apostle Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight of faith.
What did he mean?
In Gal. 3:3, Paul says, “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?
Romans 13:14, says, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
What Paul meant in his letter to Timothy is; your salvation is in Christ Jesus and what he accomplished at Calvary and in the fact that he was Resurrected. Do not allow yourself to even consider anything as being able to add to what Christ has already accomplished, because the flesh is constantly trying to do something to help with our salvation, there is a continual fight within ourselves (the good fight of faith), in order to keep Christ and the Cross the ONLY object of our faith. This I believe is the fight which Paul is addressing: Having faith in anything other than Christ and him Crucified (as a means of Redemption), will in effect make what Christ done on the Cross for you, OF NONE EFFECT. Even if you are trusting in something along with Christ, that something (whether it be something in the Law or any kind of manmade law or ordinance) will make the Cross of Christ of none effect (Gal. 5:4). When someone does this they are, “believing,” that what Christ accomplished at Calvary wasn’t enough. So they have to add something to it. Therefore such person is not completely trusting Christ.
This problem is so prevalent in fact that Paul addressed many of the early Churches concerning this, i. e. Rom. 8:1, 3:28, Gal. 3:3, 11-12, Col. 2:20-21, Heb. 4:10-11.
HOPELESS LAW
You see, it is not only the Law of Moses that will not bring, or maintain salvation. No other laws of man or rules or regulations can possibly make us any more righteous than what we are already made by Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact there are no laws, rules, regulations, observing of days, or ordinances which can make one iota of difference in the righteousness of anyone!!
However, the flesh will always try to make us think differently. The desire of the flesh is to accomplish. There is a tremendous push within everyone to add something to what Christ has already done.
Sometimes this starts out as a Believer simply trying to serve the Lord in various ways; but then looking back on these things which they have done for the Lord and believing they have somehow more surely secured their salvation by some of these good works which they have been doing. This however, is not possible. There is no salvation given in any manner, other than that which is given to us freely by God, through the Blood and Body of Jesus Christ.
The works which we are to do, are to be done as unto the Lord and not unto men (Col. 3:23); and also to be done in the Name of Jesus Christ (Col.3:17). These works for the Lord are done because of salvation, not to in any way add to our salvation.
NO OTHER FIGHT
What other fight is there for a Christian?
The only fight which the Word of God says we are to fight is, the good fight of Faith.
Ephesians 6:12, says, “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.” However, this is who you are fighting against while you are fighting the good fight of Faith. The Devil is a liar and the Father of it, and he will direct all the powers which he has charge of to also lie to you, trying to cause you to believe that something other than Christ can contribute to your salvation. Or at times, if they can pull it off; just convince some people that there is no salvation in Christ. Thus, we have a fight of Faith. To believe in our Redemption, which was purchased by the Blood of Christ; in the face of all the lies which Satan would place before us.
Why do you suppose, this is the case?
Simply put; it’s because this is the only fight which will keep you in communion with God. Nothing we encounter in our service to God, will bring the Holy Spirit to bear as, the good fight of Faith (examine yourself to see whether you be in the Faith, 2 Cor. 13:5).
Actually, without the good fight of Faith, we would end up believing things which aren’t so.
So, as Paul told Timothy, (Tim. 6:12) Fight the good fight of Faith, lay hold on Eternal Life, whereunto you are also Called: and as Timothy professed a good profession before many witnesses, “Be sure that you also profess a good profession, i. e., what Jesus Christ has done for you, and the fact that He came to Earth in order to take away the sin of all who will believe that he has done so.
