Read this morning: “Biblical fighting, then, is a spiritual contending to believe the truth of the gospel. This contending is reflected in Paul’s repeated reminders to Timothy to fight for faith in the gospel: “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Tim. 6:12) “This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son . . . you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience.” (1 Tim. 1:18–19 NASB) “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7) Like Timothy, we have been called to “take hold” of eternal life. There is urgency to our faith. True faith struggles to pry our hands off the old life and keep them on our eternal life. Biblical faith fights to believe the gospel to such a degree that it is reflected in our practice. Disciples fight to believe that Jesus’s death and resurrection is our death and resurrection. His death is our death and his life our life (Romans 5; Galatians 2). As a result, the lie-believing, image-distorting life is dead, and in its place we have received a truth-believing, Christ-adoring life (Eph. 4:20–24). However, because of our tendency to return to the old image, we walk by faith until we see Jesus, when faith will correspond with sight (2 Cor. 5:6–7; Gal. 2:20). Until then, we fight, contend, and struggle. Believing the gospel is not a passive, one-time decision; it is an active, continual fight for faith in what God says is noble, true, and good.” Excerpt From: Jonathan K. Dodson. “Gospel-Centered Discipleship.” Crossway, 2009-01. iBooks. This material may be protected by copyright.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:31:55 +0000
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