Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight.

I Timothy 1:18

Paul writes in his letter to Timothy to fight the good fight. He tells him to do this by loving from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. (I Timothy 1:5) Love is one of the keys to fighting the good fight. It is a powerful weapon against all evil. Brennan Manning says, “In every encounter we either give life (love) or we drain it. There is no neutral exchange.” Love is a way to fight the good fight. It helps us to resist the evil one who plants seeds of destruction. Another way to be strong in power and resist the “devil’s schemes” is to put on the full armor of God daily. (Ephesians 6:10-18) The disciples of Christ had to fight hard to hold on to their faith amidst the persecution and trials of being a Christian. Paul, however, describes the fight as a “good fight” – one worth fighting for, one worth giving your life for.

Are you tired of the “good fight”? Have you sought to live a godly life but feel like a failure? Remember that Jesus never came to make us perfect. He came as the perfect sacrifice to draw us to Himself and make us holy. Swimming against the tide of society in a post-Christian world can be tiring, but the fight is worthwhile and the rewards are great. Jesus puts it this way: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Heavenly Father,

I am tired of fighting the good fight. Sometimes it doesn’t even feel like a “good” fight. It is difficult to live my life for You. Some of my friends do not understand my desire to live for You. In the workplace and at home, I feel alone as I try to live as Christ did. I pray for Christian friends to encourage me in this journey so that I will be strengthened as I seek to live for You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen