Young People's Group

“I Have Fought The Good Fight …”

by Mitchell Tan
February 22, 2018

THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL IN FINISHING WELL

How should we go about living and serving the Lord? It is good to begin with the end in mind. How we want to conclude our life on earth should determine the way we want to live it now. One very good example of a person who had finished his life well was the apostle Paul. He wrote these words as he was about to conclude his second epistle to Timothy.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7

The three verbs “fought”, “finished” and “kept” were written with Paul having made a decision in the past that he would fully perform these things and the effect of these choices continued. He determined that he would fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith. Paul indeed held true to these decisions by being faithful to the Lord and His will. Young people, we too can make this decision to live our lives in such a way that we can finish our lives well like the apostle Paul.

FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT TO THE END

“I have fought the good fight”
2 Timothy 4:7

The word “fought” has the idea of “agonising”. It is like a fight between two competitors. It is to contend and strive till we are victorious. A good fight is fighting to the end triumphantly.

1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS FIGHT

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in front of many witnesses.”
1 Timothy 6:12

We are fighting for the precious faith that we have in the Lord Jesus. False teachings have infiltrated churches today and they can ruin people’s faith (1 Timothy 1:19). Our challenge is to fight for the truths of our faith. It is truly worth fighting for because our eternal life in Christ is at stake (1 Timothy 6:2). We are meant to lay hold of eternal life by living our life to the fullest. If we do not fight the good fight, our life could be adversely affected. Our calling would also be at stake (1 Timothy 6:12). If we do not fight, we will end up not being true to our calling. Our testimony before the Lord is also at stake (1 Timothy 6:2). We would not be able to bear witness for the Lord effectively. Fighting the good fight is worth every effort.

2. THE MANNER OF THIS FIGHT

“Thus I fight; not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
1 Corinthians 9:26-27

A. WITH CERTAINTY

The idea of “fight” is one where we are engaged in a combat match. Paul was very certain about what he was doing. He saw himself as one who had trained well and was very confident in his endeavour. A person who beats the air shows that he is not fit and not well-trained. He is uncertain about what he is doing. Young people, let’s seek to be certain as we fight on for the Lord.

B. WITH DISCIPLINE

A person who fights the good fight must also be disciplined in all aspects of his life. He is willing to “smite” his body till he is disciplined. And he is able to make a “slave” of his body. He wants to bring his body into the servitude of the Lord’s will and work. He knows that in this fight of faith, how he is living matters. Thus, when he has preached to others, he is certain that he is not disqualified. Young people, let’s also learn to discipline our life in this good fight of faith.

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