The Fight Of Faith
Text: 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Introduction:
There are many fights in the world — physical fights, political fights, family fights. But most of these fights have no eternal value. When men look at them, they cannot even describe what the fight is about. It is just a struggle of two people trying to outdo each other.
But there is a different fight — THE FIGHT OF FAITH. This is the only fight God commands us to fight.
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called…” 1 Timothy 6:12
This is the fight Apostle Paul is talking about in our text.
1. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGHT – A Spiritual Offering (2 Timothy 4:6)
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand”. 2 Timothy 4:6
Paul describes his death not as a defeat, but as an offering. In the Old Testament, an offering is something precious presented to God. Paul was not dying as a victim; he was ascending as a gift unto God.
This fight is not carnal.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)” 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers…” Ephesians 6:12
Paul saw death as a translation — a change of state from the life of the flesh to the life of the Spirit. What a perspective! He was ready.
Let me ask you: If God calls you home today, can you boldly say “I am ready to be offered?” Many are afraid because their life has not been an offering to God.
2. THE FLIGHT / THE RACE – Endurance in the Fight (2 Timothy 4:7)
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”. 2 Timothy 4:7
Having prepared the minds of believers, Paul now gives his testimony in three phases:
a) I have fought a good fight: It was a good fight because it was fought for a good cause — Christ. It was not fought for money, title, or fame.
b) I have finished my course (my race): Life is a race. It is not enough to start well; you must finish well. Many start the Christian race but drop on the way.
“…let us run with patience the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1
c) I have kept the faith: He did not lose his faith in the storm.
Look at what Paul endured to keep the faith:
“From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren…” 2 Corinthians 11:24-26
He bore all these and still kept the faith! He could truly say like Julius Caesar — “I came, I saw, I conquered” — but his conquest was in Christ. That should be the testimony of every believer.
3. THE CROWN – The Reward of the Fight (2 Timothy 4:8)
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”. 2 Timothy 4:8
Every fight has a prize. For the fighter of faith, the prize is not a medal that will rust, but a CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS — an incorruptible crown.
“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible”. 1 Corinthians 9:25
This crown is not for Paul alone. It is for all who love His appearing and who fight faithfully to the end.
CONCLUSION:
Beloved, the question is not whether you will fight — you are already in a fight. The question is: What kind of fight are you fighting?
Are you fighting for houses, for clothes, for position? Those fights will end here.
Fight the good fight of faith. Stand for truth. Stand for holiness. Win souls. Endure hardship.
One day, your departure will come. Will it be as a fearful victim, or as a precious offering unto God?
If you have not surrendered to Jesus, you cannot fight this fight, because you are not yet in the army of the Lord. Today is your day.
Pray with me: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. Forgive me all my sins. I believe You died for me and rose again. Come into my life and be my Lord and Saviour. Make me a soldier who will fight the good fight of faith to the end. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, you are now born again. Please join a Bible-believing Church and grow in your faith.
God bless you.
Call Pastor Luke Okoro for counseling on 08051000462
