Fight the Good Fight of Faith, English Edition

 • Fight the Good Fight of Faith: Playing Your Part in God’s Unfolding Drama

Galatians 6.7-10 – Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up . So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Paul says that we ought not grow weary in doing good. In other words, we ought not quit before we obtain our goals, spiritually speaking. He promised the Galatian believers that they would reap the rewards of their sacrifice if they did not give up. Everything in their warfare depended on them practicing what they had come to know, putting into practice the lessons of faith that Paul had taught them. If they refused to quit, he promised them that they would reap the rewards of their effort. In thinking about yourself, what things cause you the most trouble, that cause you, more than anything else, to want to give up, give in, and to quit fighting? What can you do to ensure that you “stay in the fight” and resist the temptation to give up and give in to sin, lies, and temptation? Yes, by faith you have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness, and have been translated into the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of this, you are a spiritual warrior, a soldier of Christ, an enemy of the “cosmic forces over this present darkness.” Although these enemies want to trap and harm you through their lies, falsehoods, and deceptions, you can learn, by faith and by practice, to discern and defeat them. By constant practice you can learn how to distinguish between what is good and what is evil (Heb. 5.11-14). Have no fear. As we take up God’s armor, learn the truths of the Scripture, and live consistent with God’s testimony about ourselves, we will mature.

Connection

The devil will try to stir you up and provoke you, but he will run away the moment you begin to pray. And above all, try to engage in useful work. In doing so, the devil is prevented from having access to you.

~ Thomas á Kempis. Richard J. Foster and James Bryan Smith, Eds. Devotional Classics: Revised Edition: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups. Renovare, Inc. (HarperCollins Publishers), New York. 1993. p. 152.