A GOOD WARFARE

“According to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the GOOD WARFARE” – 1 Timothy 1:18b\

Christians are called to a committed Walk with God, Good Works for Him, and a GOOD WARFARE: “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the GOOD WARFARE, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck” (1 Tim.1:18-19). The aged apostle’s charge to Timothy, to command others to teach no other doctrine than that of the Gospel, was to be “according to the prophecies previously made concerning” him (v.18). Again, he told Timothy: “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” (1Tim.6:12).

What Paul was telling Timothy, God is telling all who believe. We are enlisted at redemption, as Soldiers of Christ, the Captain of our salvation, to put on the whole armour of God, “fight the good fight of faith” and battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil (1 Tim.6:12). We are assured of being “more than conquerors through Him that has loved us” (Rom.8:37). The reality of Christianity is that: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (Jh.10:10a). This stealing, killing, destructive thief is Satan, the Devil. James counsels Believers: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (Jam.4:7).

Peter also counselled believers to trust in God and overcome the adversary: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world (1Pet.5: 7-9). We must be knowledgeable and skilled in the application of the weapons of our warfare: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2Cor.10: 4-5).

It's crucial to fully grasp the nature of the enemies and the Warfare’s Armour: “Finally, my brethren, 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 against the wiles of the devil. (Eph.6: 10-11). Our Armor comprises: The Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, Shield of Faith, Helmet of salvation, and Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God (Eph.6: 14-17) Ultimately, Believers are Overcomers: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (Rev.12:11).

Timothy had a responsibility, to fight the good fight. And so do we. He wasn’t told, “fight the good fight, but be prepared for retreat when things get tough”. The day we entered the Christian life through faith in Jesus Christ, we entered a lifelong battle. The day we gave our lives to Christ we also gained three enemies: The world, the flesh and the devil. Our fight is not with other people, but with the real enemies behind those people: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph.6:12).

The Christian Life is a Battle. It is warfare on a grand scale, but a good warfare, driven by positive purposes: The need to deal with false teachers, publish and defend the Gospel of Christ, contend for the Faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3); weaken Satan's kingdom, and enlarge the kingdom of Christ. It’s a Good Warfare because we’ve been declared Victors before the battle began!