Fight!

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. 1 Timothy 6:12 KJV

Paul writes to the young man Timothy, charging him to keep his focus on the things that glorify God. It may sound normal, but as we now know, following God seems to be quite difficult for us in this generation. We equate following God with zeal, thinking we can get God's attention by labour, striving and activity. For God, the first thing is a walk of holiness, keeping the consciousness of who God is front and center of all I do. This is the key to access all that God is and has. 

In the event that it is not yet clear, let's say it again: following God costs something. I must sort out my pursuits and seek the right priorities. The word used in today's extract is FIGHT. It may sound odd, but God does not do mistakes. If he calls what I have been called to a fight, it is really one. In a fight, the enemy, the duration and the end goal are all defined. You can't be fighting and at the same time, be concerned with other matters that do not relate to the fight. Am I focused on the right thing? 

The other part is to LAY HOLD. As I fight, I am working towards the end goal, which is eternal life. I should not fight as if I am only living for the now; I must keep eternity in view. For all who have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, this is what God calls us to. When I made the decision to accept Jesus, I told the world that my focus and pursuits had changed. I must let go of anything that will distract me from this important thing. It is the one thing that counts; all other things are only for this earthly phase. 

This is the demand of God for such a time as this. We can't be raising entitled children, who think that being in Christ insulates them from all kinds of trouble. How do I prove the power of God if there is no tough situations to apply it to? I am a child of God; I am his eye, hand, ear, mouth and heart. How I live and what I live for show that I understand the call of God upon my life. The call to Timothy then is a call to me now. How do I respond? God's time of favour is here.