I Have Fought the Good Fight

I Have Fought the Good FightText: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

As Paul wrote to Timothy near the end of his life, he spoke with confidence about his reward. There were two reasons for his confidence – (1) the Lord is the righteous judge and (2) Paul had fought the good fight. If we want to have the same confidence that Paul had, we need to be fighting the good fight as well.

There Is a Fight Going On

  • The NT is clear on this point (Ephesians 6:12)
  • The reason why there is a fight going on is because of the Lord’s enemies – the Lord gives life (John 1:4; Romans 6:23); Satan was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44); therefore, Jesus came “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8)
  • If we will not be of the world, the world will hate us (John 15:18-20)

We Need to Be Fighting

  • This is not optional – if we are not with the Lord, we are against Him (Matthew 12:30)
  • Timothy was told to fight the good fight (1 Timothy 1:18; 6:12)
  • This is for all Christians – not just for apostles, preachers, elders, mature Christians, etc.
  • Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) – written to Christians in general
  • Weapons of our warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) – also written to Christians in general

We Need to Stick to the GOOD Fight

  • It is very possible to become distracted from this fight (2 Timothy 2:3-4) – if Satan can keep us fighting, but not the “good fight,” he is beating us
  • Fights we need to avoid – fights about matters of opinion (Romans 14:1); fights about trivial matters of this life (Philippians 3:7-8); fights rooted in personal animosity toward others (Galatians 5:15; Philippians 4:2-3); fights that destroy our influence among non-Christians (John 13:35; 1 Corinthians 6:1, 7)

We Need to Finish

  • It is good to start fighting for the Lord – but if we give up, then it is all for nothing (1 Corinthians 9:24-27); as long as the fight is going on, we must be willing to fight; this will be until the end (1 Corinthians 15:24-26)
  • Paul was near death (2 Timothy 4:6) – he had reached the end of his part in this fight (2 Timothy 4:7); because of this, he had hope of a reward (2 Timothy 4:8); the implication is that if he did not finish, he would not have this hope
  • We must be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10) – finish the course as Paul did

Conclusion

  • There is a fight going on all around us – we cannot avoid it
  • Have you started fighting for the Lord? – if not, you need to obey the gospel
  • Have you stopped fighting for the Lord as you should? – if so, you need to repent