FAITH FOR IMPACT IS A FIGHT

“FIGHT the GOOD FIGHT of FAITH, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also CALLED…” – 1 Timothy 6:12a

Believers in Christ must be established in the revelation that FAITH for IMPACT is a FIGHT: “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.6:12). Impact does not come on a platter of gold. In its literal sense, physical impact is the FORCE of one object hitting or striking another object. Impact often involves a collision or opposition. In life’s reality, Impact describes the force of influence or impression of a destiny on others; a significant or major effect. Moreover, a Fight infers battle, conflict, opposition, wrestling, and warfare.

Scriptures picture Believers, not as spiritual gluttons feasting at a banquet table, but as Good Soldiers, dressed ready for the “Good Fight of Faith” (2Tim.2:4). God’s first words to humankind were battle words (Gen.1:26-28). There is no vacuum in the spirit; no room for neutrality or “sitting on the fence” (Mt.11:12). Life is a succession of battles from the cradle to the grave (2Tim. 4:7). The world is warfare. And, believers are God’s battle-axes and weapons of war (Jer.51:20). There is an enemy to overcome, whose works must be destroyed (1 John 3:8).

Ours is the “good fight” because its outcome has been pre-decided in our favour. We were declared overcomers before the Fight began! We are forever on the Winning Side; never to be defeated: “You are of God, little children, and HAVE OVERCOME them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1Jh.4:4). We have all we need in God and His Word to overcome Satan’s snares. We are fortified to prevail over demonic and worldly weapons: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgement You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me” says the Lord” (Isa.54:17).

In Christ, Victory is sure and Triumph is certain, but to make God-glorifying Impact, we must be available to be equipped to stand and fight the Good Fight of Faith (1Cor.15:57; 2 Cor.2:14; Eph.6:12). To actualize our settled Victory, we must watch, pray, be obedient to divine instructions, deny ourselves, and persevere until we prevail. Our Fight involves both FLEEING and PURSUING: “But you, O man of God, FLEE these things and PURSUE righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (v.11).

Believers are to be Good Soldiers (2Tim.2:3), equipped for a Good Warfare (1Tim.1:18), and to fight a Good Fight of Faith! Ours is not a fleshly fight of fear, despair, desperation, emotions, suspicion, ambition, or unholy competition, but the good fight with a concluded Victory (2 Cor.10: 3-4; Col.2:15; 1Jh.5:4). But we must earnestly contend “for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3), and “lay hold on eternal Life” (v.12b).