This week’s devotions are based on this week’s message: Key #2: Be Ready for the Battle! (WATCH HERE)
1 Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience.
To fight the good fight, one must be a good soldier. This phrase Paul writes to Timothy literally could be translated, “Be a soldier good at soldiering.” It defines the person more that distinguishes the battle. The battle is not for ground or power, but to hold on to “faith and a good conscience.”
Or as Paul wrote to the Ephesians:
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
How ready are you to engage in this battle every day?
How aware of the battle are you every day?
Do you win or lose these spiritual battles?
Most probably would say that their awareness of the spiritual battles we face every day are not that acute. We probably don’t spend a ton of time thinking about it, unless the direction we are headed is obviously in a negative way. However, every day, Satan “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
Satan is looking to remove you from God’s grace. Paul didn’t want Timothy to lose grace, but much more to ensure individuals in the Ephesian congregation didn’t lose grace. He knew it was going to be a battle, because he himself had waged it. As his time on the earth was coming to a close, he encouraged Timothy: Timothy 2:1-4 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.
Timothy was going to be at the front end of the spiritual battle for grace.
Today, you and I are on the front lines of the battle for grace.
So how are we going to soldier as a good soldier? How are we going to “fight the good fight”? How will we be ready for the battle that is at hand?
In yesterday’s message I referred to the five parts of the oath a Roman soldier would make as an outline to ensure we are ready at all times for Satan’s attack.
The Roman soldier would take an oath to do the following:
- Remain at your post until given permission to leave it.
- Never steal from the army.
- Never abandon your weapons.
- Never flee from a battle.
- Be willing to give your life for Rome.
For the Christian, these have application that we will unpack further this week. But like the ROman soldier was convinced Rome was worth fighting and dying for, today I ask that the reality of grace and its impact for our lives would engender a true commitment that grace is worth fighting for and grace is worth dying for.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Apply: Reflect and write down five reasons why grace is worth fighting for?
Prayer: Lord thank you for your grace. Give me a commitment and the courage to combat all that would oppose grace. AMEN.