GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH
INTRODUCTION
Good fight of faith is being severely tested in many lands bringing persecution and suffering to those who fail to comply with an agenda to conquer and control. Apostle Paul wrote: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, where unto you are called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12).
The good fight concerns the daily struggle in the Christian life and the hardships and adversities associated with it. It was noted to lay hold on eternal life does not negate the fact that the believer now possesses spiritual life; rather, it speaks of fully realizing the implication of such as one matures in the Lord. Apostle Paul declared: The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom; to whom is glory forever and ever (2 Timothy 4:18).
Good Fight of Faith
Weapons of Warfare
The good fight of faith concerns the daily struggle with hardships and adversities one faces; with reality of faith demonstrated when engaged in such warfare. Apostle Paul wrote: The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of human standards), but mighty through God to the tearing down of strongholds; casting down imaginations (false arguments), and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). God has equipped His people to withstand the evils of our day; to be victorious, not defeated.
Apostle Paul wrote: Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand. We wrestle not against blood (humanity), but against principalities (rulers), against powers (authorities), against the rulers of the darkness of this world (ungodly world leaders), against spiritual wickedness in high places (Satan and his cohorts) (Ephesians 6:10-12). The whole armor of God, to be victorious, which consists of: Truth, Breastplate of righteousness, Gospel of peace, Shield of Faith, Helmets of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17).
A Perverse Generation
Scripture reveals: I (God) will hide my face from them; I will see what their end shall be; for they are a very perverse generation (Deuteronomy 32:20); put away from you a forward (deceitful) mouth, and perverse lips put far from you; turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove your foot from evil (Proverbs 4:24 & 27). Nations once birthed under God, nurtured and blessed of Him, have now allowed the good fight of faith to crumble by accepting ungodliness in their ranks rather than being rejected.
The Prophet Isaiah warned: Woe to them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight (Isaiah 5:20-21); which justify the wicked for reward and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him (Isaiah 5:23).
Parable of the Vineyard
The Parable of the Vineyard revealed by the Prophet Isaiah became a Parable of Judgment. Isaiah noted: God fenced it, gathered out the stones thereof, and built a tower in the midst of it, and made a winepress therein; and looked that it would bring forth grapes and it brought forth wild grapes. What a disappointment after nourishing it, creating the right environment for it, then for it to reap wild (or unsatisfactory) grapes. God cried out: What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes (Isaiah 5:4)?
We are witnessing former nations nourished by God, as that of His Vineyard, now producing wild grapes rather than the good grapes desired by God. Isaiah pronounced God’s judgment: I God) will tell you what I will do to my vineyard; I will take away the hedge thereof (His protection), and it shall be eaten up (consumed); and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden (trampled) down, I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned, nor digged (no longer receiving His loving care); but shall come up briers and thorns (a result of withdrawal) (Isaiah 5:5-6).
Withdrawal
Apostle Paul noted a time of failure of the good fight of faith diminishing in the churches of Galatia: I marvel (am amazed) that you are so soon removed (turning away) from him that called you unto the grace of Christ, to another (a different) gospel; which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would (want to) pervert the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-7).
Paul was identifying a problem that had developed, through false teachers, by attempting to alter that which was previously presented by Paul and others. Paul condemned such practice, in writing: As we (he and others) said before, so I now again. If any man preach any other gospel to you that you have received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:9). Paul pronounced judgment on such individuals.
Today there is a new progressive social gospel being introduced in which sin is no longer identified or condemned. The Prophet Amos revealed there will be a time that the fruit of righteousness will be turned into hemlock (Amos 6:12). It is interesting to note that the word hemlock refers to a plant that poison is derived from. Poison infects or pollutes the body until injury, illness, or death results. It can be of a harmful influence such as will ruin, taint, inhibit, or embitter. When this influence creeps into a church, oftentimes unawares, it creates “A Powerless Church.”
Church Responsibility
The good fight of faith is being fought in many lands in opposition to a redrawing from godly policies once enhanced through a godly stand. Some churches have allowed deterioration by no longer upholding the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God as before. Charles G. Finney, a legendary evangelist of the First Great Awakening, noted: Preaching will bear its legitimate fruits. If immorality prevails in the land, the fault is ours to a great degree. If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it.
If Satan rules in our halls of Justice, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it. Let us not ignore this fact; but let us lay it to heart, and awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation. Is the need for such a reminder not more of a necessity in the hour in which we live; for another Great Awakening to the truths of God’s Word to come forth?
Babylon the Great
The fate of Babylon was declared by Apostle John, in his writings in the Book of Revelation: Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become the habitation of devils, and the hold (dwelling place) of every spirit, and a cage of unclean (immoral) and hateful bird (individual). All nations have drunk (partaken) of the wine of the wrath of her fornication (unfaithfulness) with her, and merchants of the earth, are waxed (become) rich through the abundance of her delicacies (wickedness) (Revelation 18:2-3).
A warning was noted by John: I heard another voice from heaven, saying, come out of her my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues (judgments) (Revelation 18:4). If one maintains the good fight of faith they will not get caught up in the stranglehold of ungodliness that is sweeping through many once godly nations. Apostle Peter noted: The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations; as Lot in Sodom (2 Peter 2:7), and to reserve the unjust to the Day of Judgment to be punished (2 Peter 2:9).
Defiance of Babylon
Apostle John noted the defiance of Babylon, in writing: How much she (Babylon) has glorified herself (seeing no wrong), and lived deliciously (in luxury), so much torment and sorrow give her; for she says in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow (Revelation 18:7). There are many today who continue in living and promoting ungodliness that neither fear God nor a Day of Reckoning.
John noted God’s judgment: Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly destroyed with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judges her (Revelation 18:8). John further noted: In one hour so great riches come to nought (nothing). When a nation, or individual, seeks to glorify self; without God, it places one in the hands of God, who stated, as previously noted: I will hide my face from them, I will see what there end shall be; for they are a very perverse generation (Deuteronomy 32:20).
Fate of the Ungodly
Apostle Peter revealed the faith of the ungodly: Whereby the world that then was (pre-Flood days of Noah) perished; and the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word, are kept in store, reserved unto fire against (until) the Day of Judgment and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men (2 Peter 3:6-7).
The Day of the Lord shall come as a thief (totally unexpected by some); in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat (possible nuclear holocaust), and the earth also and the works therein shall be burned up. Peter then makes an appeal: Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation (conduct) and godliness (2 Peter 3:10-11).
Peter further noted: Nevertheless (despite all these happenings), we (the believer), according to his (God’s) promise, look for a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness (God’s original intent for mankind). Wherefore seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot (sin), and blameless (2 Peter 3:13-14); seeing that you know these things before (beforehand), beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness (faithfulness); but grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:17-18).
Salvation or Judgment
Scripture reveals: God so loved the world (you and I), that he gave his only begotten Son (the Lord Jesus Christ), that whosoever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life (entrance into heaven); for God sent not his Son, to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:16-17).
Apostle John wrote: He that believes on the Son has everlasting life but he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides (remains) on him (John 3:36). There is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun; the final resting place of the soul of man rests with each individual. The decision has to be made in this life. Scripture reveals: It is appointed to men once to die but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
GOT QUESTIONS A Website where Bible questions are answered. With over 7,000 answers to frequently asked Bible questions published online, approximately 85% of the questions we are asked already have answers available to you instantly. This Website is an easy way to search out any questions you may have.