STAY IN THE FIGHT OF FAITH:

 

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, ONLY REWARDS FIGHTERS OF THE FAITH, IN JESUS CHRIST:

Truthfully Straight Out Of God's Word!
( Stay In The Fight Of Faith )

Are you All in this fight, or on the sidelines?
2 Timothy 4:7, Apostle Paul says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” This well-known and oft-quoted passage is quite significant in that this epistle was Elder Paul’s last before his martyrdom in about or around A.D. 67.

It is a deeply moving affirmation of his unwavering faith and unyielding love for the gospel of Jesus Christ ( Galatians 1:4;) ( Galatians 2:20;) ( Philippians 1:21).

“Brother Paul said here, he has fought the good fight” is also significant for Jesus Believers today because it serves as a stark reminder that the Christ Lifestyle life is a struggle against the weaknesses of our flesh and also all forms of evil, within our world and ourselves and in the religious groups ( John 15:9;) ( Romans 8:7; ) ( James 4:4 ). Earlier in this same epistle, Apostle Paul reminded Elder Timothy to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” ( 2 Timothy 2:3 ).

The Greek word Agonizomai translated “fought,” means literally “to engage in conflict.” The word was used in the context of competing in athletic games or engaging in military conflict.

Considering that Apostle Paul was chained to a Roman soldier when he wrote this epistle, it would have been easy for him to make such an analogy. He had known many Roman soldiers and during his imprisonment had won a number of them to Christ, some of the members of the Praetorian Guard ( Philippians 1:13 ).

Our battle is not with flesh and blood “but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” ( Ephesians 6:12 ). The Christ Believers' life is a fight in that God's sons and daughters face a never-ending struggle against evil, not an earthly military campaign, but a spiritual battle against Satan and the division of religions their many fleshly groups.

This is why we must “take up the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day” ( Read Ephesians 6:13-18 ).

Without question, the Apostle Paul was the consummate warrior, never quitting, never flagging in his zeal for the Lord ( Philippians 3:14-15 ). He knew where lay the source of his strength ( Philippians 4:13;) ( 2 Corinthians 12:9 ). His campaign to spread the gospel of Christ began on the Damascus Road ( Acts 9:3 ) Where he found out that the Lord God was Jesus the Christ! ) and eventually took him across the ancient world on four missionary journeys.

He had witnessed Christ before Felix and Agrippa, the legates and officials of Rome ( Acts 23:26;) ( Acts 26:1 ). He contended with false teachers and false brethren within the body of Christ the Church ( 2 Corinthians 11:13;) ( Galatians 1:7;) ( Galatians 2:4 ).

Elder Paul’s “good fight” included an astonishing series of dangers and indignities ( 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 ). Even in these, he proclaimed his victory in Christ Jesus: “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” ( Romans 8:37 ).

Brother Paul’s life and ministry provide for us a powerful example for modeling Christ today. Not only did he “fight the good fight,” but he also “finished the race” and “kept the faith” ( 2 Timothy 4:7 ).

Apostle Paul knew that his death was near ( Read verse 6 ) but had no regrets. After Jesus took control of his life ( Acts 9:15-16 ), Brother Paul had lived life to the fullest, fulfilling all that Jesus had charged and empowered him to do ( Ephesians 3:6; 2 Timothy 4:17 ).

He had a remarkable sense of fulfillment and contentment with his life ( Philippians 4:11-13;) ( 1 Timothy 6:6-8 ).

As Believers in Jesus Christ today, we can have no greater sense of fulfillment than to know, as our brother Paul did, that we have fully accomplished all that the Lord has called us to do ( Matthew 25:21 ).

May we “fight the good fight” and “be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill our ministry and not try in fulfill your spiritual leader or other saints ministry” ( 2 Timothy 4:5) do what the Lord wants of you to do, we all have godly work to finish, so get busy God's God's anointed, appointed, chosen sons and daughters in Christ Holy Spirit!!!. Amen.

Lovingly Truthfully Faithfully,
Serving God's Nationally, Nations Churches Of The Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle James R, Winfree, Sr.

( J.B.W.M.)