FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF 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 6:12 ❤ (Verse on Bible Hub)

The Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 5:1: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” He instructs us in Ephesians 6:11 to put on the full armor of God so we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes.

In both these instances, he admonishes us to ‘stand’ against the enemy. Not plow forth to divide, conquer and take prisoners for God. Because no doubt, what an incredible mess we would create!

How many times in my life have I not heeded the Holy Spirit and set something in motion that caused so much damage? Well, just too many to count!

We must always try to remember the battle belongs to the Lord. For our own good.

I love Exodus 14:14. It was an easy verse for me to memorize so I could call it up from my heart when needed, which is often. I have personalized it here for you:

“The LORD will fight for me; I need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 (Verse on Bible Hub)

I am growing in my faith just like you. When God asks us to take a ‘stand’ against the enemy, I believe He means for us to practice posturing ourselves (with resolve, purpose, determination, and single-mindedness) to remain confident in the Lord by yielding and coming into agreement with HIM. Striving to become ‘one’ with Him and abide in Him with all our strength.

We know Jesus is for us. But are we for Him? I’m not sure about you but I’ve spent way too much time being double minded, with one foot still in this world. James 1:8 tells us that a double minded person is unstable in ALL their ways. 

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH

Fighting the good fight of faith is not for the meek and mild. It takes courage to fight God’s way. After the incredible mountaintop experience of salvation, the Lord doesn’t send us back down into the valley to figure it all out on our own.

God filled us with His Holy Spirit (John 14:16) to lead us into all truth, guide us and strengthen us from the inside out. Romans 8:11 declares the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives within us and gives life to our mortal bodies.

As if that isn’t mind blowing enough, Christ Himself intercedes for us. He prays on our behalf to the Father.

Remember when He told Simon Peter that satan had asked to sift him? Jesus encouraged Peter’s heart by letting him know that He had prayed for him. What did Jesus pray? He prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail. Then He gave Peter instructions to strengthen his brothers when he returned. (Luke 22:31-32) 

What I learned from this passage is there’s a limit or ceiling to Satan’s power. He literally has to ask for the Father’s permission before he can sift one of God’s children. Jesus Himself is praying for our faith to be strengthened. The part where He asks us to strengthen our brothers and sisters when we return? We will not only survive these siftings, but we will come through with a ‘new’ strength that God can use to edify others. Strength for the fight and then some.

SURROUNDED BY A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES

We cannot choose our family or co-workers, but we can ask for God’s wisdom in who we let speak into our lives as close friends. We are all prone to wander and need to surround ourselves with Holy Spirit guided friends with whom we give permission to keep us accountable. Authentic Christians who love us, cover us in prayer and aren’t afraid to kick us in our booty when needed. The amazing Book of Acts teaches us the importance of the gathering of the saints for our edification.

We also have a great cloud of witnesses who have gone home before us. God’s throne is surrounded by a great number of joy filled saints. Believers who ran their races of faith before our time. Each of them felt unqualified and had their own trials but they all made it safely home. I like to picture them leaning over the banister of Heaven, praising God and high fiving and cheering us on. I like to think the Apostle Paul is one of them, whooping and hollering! Let’s see what he has to say:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us
throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let
us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the
cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 (Passage on Bible Gateway)

RUN THE RACE TO WIN THE PRIZE

We must settle in our hearts what is important to us. What ‘prize’ are we seeking to win? What do we consider so valuable that we would allow it to trump our Jesus?

My sweet blogging partner, Susan, wrote in her Easter 2019 Post, “Father, Forgive Them.” (quote) “Whenever I am more concerned with saving face than honoring truth, I am mocking Jesus.” Such sweet conviction for us all. 

“Settling” what is important in our hearts doesn’t mean we will not make mistakes.

Jesus NEVER asks us if we are able to do something because He already knows we can do nothing without Him. Instead, He is asking if we are “willing.” And OH how the Holy Spirit can work with a willing and teachable spirit. So let’s kick the crippling spirit of perfection to the curb. He has no place in our race.

Before we accepted Jesus, to survive meant we had to fight for self preservation.

After Jesus redeemed us, this ingrained fight or flight pattern still wants to rear its ugly head whenever we feel threatened in some way. We don’t realize how much we really do make it about ourselves even when we don’t mean to. And the enemy will encourage this because it not only opens up alot of access points into our lives, but it hinders our mobility. And being able to move forward is vital if we want to finish the race God has set before us.

The Holy Spirit will help us to run our race of faith if we let Him. Whenever we allow ourselves to be teachable and yield to His promptings and convictions, He strengthens us and we feel His joy. We will find ourselves moving forward. Growing in spiritual health and sweetly becoming more like Jesus from faith to faith and glory to glory. I’ve discovered I can’t always explain exactly how God got me from point A to point B. All I know is my part was to yield and obey and God’s part was to bring about His desired results.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV encourages us to not lean on our own understanding for a good reason. Fighting the good fight of faith crashes into our whole complicated system of coping and self preservation. It takes trusting that Jesus knows what He is doing. He knows how to lovingly dismantle our kingdom (small ‘k’) without it killing us so His Kingdom can shine its light through our lives.

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing
I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the
goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14 NIV (Passage on Bible Gateway)

Sweet Sister in Christ … God is not sitting in Heaven, counting every little mistake you make.

So BREATHE!

Rather, He is counting with delight every single time you choose to believe Him and practice putting your faith to work. Because each little imperfect baby step of obedience is helping to keep your neck free from Satan’s yoke of slavery, and this thrills the heart of Jesus! Each time we are willing to fight the good fight of faith, we untie God’s hands and become an access point for Heaven to invade earth through us.  I hope and pray you are encouraged to stand strong in the Lord today!

Blessings,

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take
My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I AM gentle and humble in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV (Passage on Bible Gateway)

❤

Are you ready to receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?
Please CLICK HERE and we will be honored to pray with you.

About Us

Photo Credit: Canva