Faith Enough To Fight?
What is it for which man will fight? Will he fight for something in which he doesn’t believe? Will he fight for something that is absolutely beyond his ability to attain? Will he fight for something that is of no benefit to him? It is certain that there is much stated about fighting in the Word of God. There must be a reason for fighting.
In 1Corinthians 9:26-27, the Spirit had the apostle Paul state how NOT to fight and why. One does not fight without reason.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. From what did Paul fear to be a castaway?
Paul is identified by the Spirit in Titus 1:1-2 as a servant of God, and one who is seeking the promise of God, which is eternal life. Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
As the Spirit had Paul mentor and direct young Timothy, He had Paul write the Words we find in 1Timothy 6:12-14 which instruct Timothy and us how we are to fight. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
In 2Timothy 2:2 we find another admonition which tells how having the “faith” to fight will continue until the Lord returns. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
That which Timothy had heard, and what he was to preach was the Word of God. This is obvious from 2Timothy 4:2. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. He was also told in verses 3 and 4 why this was necessary. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. One can only have the faith to fight if they remain in the Word of God. Romans 10:17 shows this. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
It is an absolute certainty that if people don’t hear the gospel and do not know what to do to be saved, they also won’t know how to fight or why they should as Romans 10:13-14 shows. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? They also will not know what “calling on the name of the Lord” means. It means to obey the gospel.
Life itself is a fight for eternal life as 1Corinthians 9:25 clearly indicates. 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.
We also know that this “eternal crown” will not be received until the Lord returns. Elders to which the Spirit had Peter write are told this in 1Peter 5:4. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Therefore, while we are here, let’s do as God directs in His Word. If we do, we can meet those who have gone on before us that have been obedient and faithful in that eternal home of the soul.
Somewhere around 1968, my wife’s father penned the words below for a song that shows the desire that all should have for others as we prepare for eternity while we live here on earth. It should be our desire to “meet” our loved ones in that eternal home.
Meet Me
Meet me, greet me, on some morning fair
I’ll be so happy, when I see your there.
Nothing can separate us, there’ll be no tear dimmed eyes
In God’s eternal sabbath, Land of Paradise.
Don’t weep when I sleep, my armor is laid down.
Just another soldier, lost in battle,
Fighting, yes fighting for a crown.
So until it is God’s Will to call me home to rest
I promise your that I’ll do my best.
And I want you to
Meet me, greet me, on some morning fair
Tell me, will you . . . Meet Me????
O.D. Wilson – deceased
Do you have faith enough to fight? Do you have faith enough to begin the fight? Why not obey the gospel today and prepare to meet the saved in that eternal home?
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
