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Living a godly life is a fight. Yes, we can be confident in our
salvation and ready to meet our Lord in the sky. But this does not
negate the fact that living a godly life is a struggle, a battle,
and a fight.
Near the end of his life, Paul wrote to Timothy and said: "But
you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith,
lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have
confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses"
(1 Tim. 6:11-12).
Jude exhorted Christians saying: "Beloved, while I was very
diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found
it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly
for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints"
(Ju. 3). Christians have the pleasure of serving in the Lord's army
and must fight against "principalities, against powers, against
rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness
in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12). Christians have a God
given command to fight against darkness lest they are overcome by
evil.
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Christians patiently persevere throughout the fight. Our battle
begins the day that we become Christians and ends the day that
we depart from this life. James wrote to Christians who were
fighting to do what was right while the rich were cheating them
of their wages (Jas. 5:4). James said: "Therefore be patient,
brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits
for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it
until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient.
Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand"
(Jas. 5:7-8).
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Christians rejoice throughout the fight by prayerfully trusting
in God for victory. Paul said: "Rejoice always, pray without
ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Th. 5:16-18). And he said:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and
the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:4-7).
Jesus exhorted Christians in Smyrna saying: "Do not fear any
of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil
is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested;
and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10).
And Paul never gave up the fight saying in his last epistle: "I
have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept
the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day,
and not to me only but also to all who have loved his appearing"
(2 Tim. 4:7-8).
Everyone is fighting for something. What are you fighting for?
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