PAUL'S AMAZING TEACHINGS
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3180
PAUL'S AMAZING TEACHINGS
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." (2 Timothy 4:7).
This epistle was Paul’s last before his martyrdom. It is a deeply moving affirmation of his unwavering faith and love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The “good fight” Paul references include an incredible series of dangers and indignities. Even in this, he proclaimed his victory in Christ. Paul writes, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
1. To fight the good fight of faith means that we abide in the Word by faith, regardless of what we feel or what we think we understand. Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” (John 8:31).
2. To fight the good fight of faith means "do not let sin reign".
It is written, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21). We have passions and desires that maintain the opposite. We have human reasoning that says, “This is impossible."
But Paul exhorts us: “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.” (Romans 6:11-12 ).
Abba Father, to fight the good fight of faith means that we stand firmly anchored in the Word in the power of the Spirit, reckoning ourselves dead to our feelings and our human reasoning, not letting sin rule in our mortal body by obeying its lusts. We have to do what Jesus says: Take up our cross daily and deny ourselves. (Luke 9:23). Paul also says the same thing: “But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13).
Paul sums it all up in 1 Timothy 6:11-14
“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 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. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing.”
