'Fight the Good Fight of Faith'

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charity

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' ... But thou, O man of God, flee these things;
and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Fight the good fight of faith,
.. lay hold on eternal life,
.... whereunto thou art also called,
...... and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
I give thee charge in the sight of God, Who quickeneth all things,
and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable,
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: ... '

(1 Timothy 6:11)

Hello there,

Today, as I look in on the forum, the words, 'fight the good fight with all thy might', came to mind, and I looked up the quotation above, and at Paul's words written just prior to his martyrdom in AD67:-

'For I am now ready to be offered,
.. and the time of my departure is at hand.
.... I have fought a good fight,
.... I have finished my course,
.... I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
and not to me only,
but unto all them also that love His appearing.'

(2 Timothy 4:6)

* It is through Paul that we learn about the fight of faith, and about the armour that we need to put on by faith, and the need to stand (Ephesians 6). It is through him also that we learn about the enemy that we are to fight:-

'Finally, my brethren,
.. be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armour of God,
.. that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
.. but against principalities, against powers,
.... against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
...... against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
.. that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
.... and having done all, to stand.'

(Ephesians 6:12-13)

* The enemy is not our fellow man: not flesh and blood; but the rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places. The spiritual forces that would keep mankind in the darkness of unbelief, or distort the truth, and take us away from the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus. Take away our confidence in the saving work of Christ, and render us weak and helpless before the lies of the enemy of our souls; who would have us believe that there are no certainties, that would prevent us from seeing the wondrous truth of our completeness in Christ. Denying the truths of God's Word, and of our standing in Christ, which is by faith. Claiming that all is about experiences, and feelings, which are fickle at best: doting on dreams and visions, instead of faith in the sacrificial work of Christ which is sure and steadfast, the foundation upon which we stand. Or, cause us to fail of the grace of God, by putting us under law, denying us the liberty that we have in Christ Jesus, by God's wondrous grace.

* May we stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, for His name and glory's sake.

In Christ Jesus
Chris
 
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charity

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'Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies,
which minister questions,
rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
But refuse profane and old wives' fables,
and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.'

(1 Timothy 1:4)

'And they shall turn away their ears from the truth,
and shall be turned unto fables.'

(2 Timothy 4:4)

'Not giving heed to Jewish fables,
and commandments of men,
that turn from the truth.'

(Titus 1:14)

'For we have not followed cunningly devised fables,
when we made known unto you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.'
(the transfiguration)
(2 Peter 1:16)

Praise God!
 

101G

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Addressing the OP, Good topic, and on point for this time during the virus. what I like about the the Good fight is this,
Romans 14:7 "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Romans 14:8 "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

Romans 14:9 "For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living".

PICJAG
 
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charity

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Addressing the OP, Good topic, and on point for this time during the virus. what I like about the the Good fight is this,
Romans 14:7 "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Romans 14:8 "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

Romans 14:9 "For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living".

PICJAG
'If in this life only we have hope in Christ,
.. we are of all men most miserable.
But now is Christ risen from the dead,
.. and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
For since by man came death,
by man came also the resurrection of the dead.'

(1 Corinthians 15:19-21)

Yes, @101G,
For we will thereby confess that our hope is not for this life only; but that we have the hope of resurrection life in Christ Jesus. So that though our lives at the present time are precarious, and death for some will be the outcome, we can rejoice in the knowledge of the promise of life which we have in Christ Jesus, and thereby bring honour and glory to His Name by so doing.

'Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
.. Who for the joy that was set before Him
.... endured the cross, despising the shame,
...... and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.'

(Hebrews 12:2)

Praise God!

'Our life is hid with Christ in God'

Thank you.
In Christ Jesus
Chris
 
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101G

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'If in this life only we have hope in Christ,
.. we are of all men most miserable.
But now is Christ risen from the dead,
.. and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
For since by man came death,
by man came also the resurrection of the dead.'

(1 Corinthians 15:19-21)

Yes, @101G,
For we will thereby confess that our hope is not for this life only; but that we have the hope of resurrection life in Christ Jesus. So that though our lives at the present time are precarious, and death for some will be the outcome, we can rejoice in the knowledge of the promise of life which we have in Christ Jesus, and thereby bring honour and glory to His Name by so doing.

'Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
.. Who for the joy that was set before Him
.... endured the cross, despising the shame,
...... and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.'

(Hebrews 12:2)

Praise God!

'Our life is hid with Christ in God'

Thank you.
In Christ Jesus
Chris
Agreed, 2 Peter 1:1 "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

2 Peter 1:2 "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

2 Peter 1:3 "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

2 Peter 1:4 "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

if Christian really knew how "precious" their faith is.

PICJAG
 
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Nancy

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' ... But thou, O man of God, flee these things;
and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Fight the good fight of faith,
.. lay hold on eternal life,
.... whereunto thou art also called,
...... and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
I give thee charge in the sight of God, Who quickeneth all things,
and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable,
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: ... '

(1 Timothy 6:11)

Hello there,

Today, as I look in on the forum, the words, 'fight the good fight with all thy might', came to mind, and I looked up the quotation above, and at Paul's words written just prior to his martyrdom in AD67:-

'For I am now ready to be offered,
.. and the time of my departure is at hand.
.... I have fought a good fight,
.... I have finished my course,
.... I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
and not to me only,
but unto all them also that love His appearing.'

(2 Timothy 4:6)

* It is through Paul that we learn about the fight of faith, and about the armour that we need to put on by faith, and the need to stand (Ephesians 6). It is through him also that we learn about the enemy that we are to fight:-

'Finally, my brethren,
.. be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armour of God,
.. that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
.. but against principalities, against powers,
.... against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
...... against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
.. that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
.... and having done all, to stand.'

(Ephesians 6:12-13)

* The enemy is not our fellow man: not flesh and blood; but the rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places. The spiritual forces that would keep mankind in the darkness of unbelief, or distort the truth, and take us away from the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus. Take away our confidence in the saving work of Christ, and render us weak and helpless before the lies of the enemy of our souls; who would have us believe that there are no certainties, that would prevent us from seeing the wondrous truth of our completeness in Christ. Denying the truths of God's Word, and of our standing in Christ, which is by faith. Claiming that all is about experiences, and feelings, which are fickle at best: doting on dreams and visions, instead of faith in the sacrificial work of Christ which is sure and steadfast, the foundation upon which we stand. Or, cause us to fail of the grace of God, by putting us under law, denying us the liberty that we have in Christ Jesus, by God's wondrous grace.

* May we stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, for His name and glory's sake.

In Christ Jesus
Chris

Good word Chris,
My belief is that the armor we have been given in Eph. 6 is a one time deal...we should NEVER take it off. We should be sleeping with it on, showering, shopping...you get my meaning, lol.
Indeed, the enemy is NOT our fellow man but, we humans, Christians included, still will look at the person and not what is driving them to sin.
Oh Lord, remove obstacles for the blinded!
In Him,
nancy
 
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101G

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Good word Chris,
My belief is that the armor we have been given in Eph. 6 is a one time deal...we should NEVER take it off. We should be sleeping with it on, showering, shopping...you get my meaning, lol.
Indeed, the enemy is NOT our fellow man but, we humans, Christians included, still will look at the person and not what is driving them to sin.
Oh Lord, remove obstacles for the blinded!
In Him,
nancy
Amen, once on, always on. the warfare never takes a break.

PICJAG.
 
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101G

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@charity, looking at your topic again, we might need to breakdown this armor in order to fight a good fight. I know the saying goes a good defense is the best offence. well me I like to go on the offense, get the sword, (the word of God). here we can add to our Faith,
2 Peter 1:5 "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

2 Peter 1:6 "And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

2 Peter 1:7 "And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

2 Peter 1:8 "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:9 "But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

2 Peter 1:10 "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

PICJAG.
 

VictoryinJesus

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well me I like to go on the offense, get the sword, (the word of God). here we can add to our Faith,
2 Peter 1:5 "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

2 Peter 1:6 "And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

2 Peter 1:7 "And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

would these be the things of “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you”?

Been thinking a lot on Luke 11:21–22 (YLT): When the strong man armed may keep his hall, in peace are his goods; 22but when the stronger than he, having come upon him, may overcome him, his whole-armour he doth take away in which he had trusted...” while God says to “put on” And trust in “the whole -armour of God” that you may be able to stand. For “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world”.
 
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101G

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would these be the things of “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you”?

Been thinking a lot on Luke 11:21–22 (YLT): When the strong man armed may keep his hall, in peace are his goods; 22but when the stronger than he, having come upon him, may overcome him, his whole-armour he doth take away in which he had trusted...” while God says to “put on” And trust in “the whole -armour of God” that you may be able to stand. For “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world”.
God is the stronger, the all powerful. Good always overcomes evil.

PICJAG.
 

VictoryinJesus

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God is the stronger, the all powerful. Good always overcomes evil.

PICJAG.

Couldn’t stop thinking last night about the “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Never saw it until your post on add these things: diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, add to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness Charity.

He speaks of being not anxious for what you will drink as He IS the living water where one drinks and never thirst after righteousness again being filled with God’s fruits of righteousness. He speaks of not being anxious for what you will eat as He is the bread of Life given from Heaven which satisfies the hungry. Then He speaks of not being anxious for “what the body will put on” ...the body of Christ —the whole body—puts on the New Man clothed with: diligence, Faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and Charity. All fruit of the Spirit. As He said seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things: what you will drink, what you will eat, and how you will be clothed in the New Man will be added unto you.

yes, agree “God is the stronger, the all powerful. good overcomes evil.” there is none stronger or Greater than Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. [11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Was trying to point out this whole-armour of God, no one stronger or greater can overcome or take away this Whole-armour trusted in.
 

101G

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Couldn’t stop thinking last night about the “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Never saw it until your post on add these things: diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, add to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness Charity.

He speaks of being not anxious for what you will drink as He IS the living water where one drinks and never thirst after righteousness again being filled with God’s fruits of righteousness. He speaks of not being anxious for what you will eat as He is the bread of Life given from Heaven which satisfies the hungry. Then He speaks of not being anxious for “what the body will put on” ...the body of Christ —the whole body—puts on the New Man clothed with: diligence, Faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and Charity. All fruit of the Spirit. As He said seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things: what you will drink, what you will eat, and how you will be clothed in the New Man will be added unto you.

yes, agree “God is the stronger, the all powerful. good overcomes evil.” there is none stronger or Greater than Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. [11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Was trying to point out this whole-armour of God, no one stronger or greater can overcome or take away this Whole-armour trusted in.
First thanks for the reply, second "Faith" is spiritual, and there are spiritual things to add to one's faith. we all have been given "THE" measure of Faith, now we need to build it. likewise we live in this created world, and there are thing we can add to our daily living, only while we're here in these bodies here on earth. please understand this is NOT, NOT, the real world, this is only a creation of God.

remember in this world tommorrow is not promise to us. so making a long term investment is not needed. but while we're here we can enjoy what God has created. but the long term investment is in the world to come, which is spiritual. remember again, this is NOT the real world world we live in, this is only a creation, keep that in mind. we're here only for a short period of time. so while we're here we live our lives in a peaceful mannner, until the Lord returns.

so seeking the Kingdom of God is priority one, hence the reason why we put on the the whole armour of God to keep us from investing "LONG TERM", in this world that will end soon. and while we're here, in these bodies, his armour is to protect us from the wiles of the devil to indulge in or invest in this life, which is only "temporary". life in the flesh is a "short term" investment. hence we sell out to God, (at no cost ), and buy into eternal LIFE for ever.

Just keep this in mind, "this is not the real world", this is not our HOME, we're strangers just passing through.

PICJAG.
 

VictoryinJesus

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First thanks for the reply, second "Faith" is spiritual, and there are spiritual things to add to one's faith. we all have been given "THE" measure of Faith, now we need to build it. likewise we live in this created world, and there are thing we can add to our daily living, only while we're here in these bodies here on earth. please understand this is NOT, NOT, the real world, this is only a creation of God.

remember in this world tommorrow is not promise to us. so making a long term investment is not needed. but while we're here we can enjoy what God has created. but the long term investment is in the world to come, which is spiritual. remember again, this is NOT the real world world we live in, this is only a creation, keep that in mind. we're here only for a short period of time. so while we're here we live our lives in a peaful mannner, until the Lord returns.

so seeking the Kingdom of God is priority one, hence the reason why we put on the the whole armour of God to keep us from investing "LONG TERM", in this world that will end soon. and while we're here, in these bodies, his armour is to protect us from the wiles of the devil to indulge in or invest in this life, which is only "temporary". life in the flesh is a "short term" investment. hence we sell out to God, (at no cost ), and buy into eternal LIFE for ever.

Just keep this in mind, "this is not the real world", this is not our HOME, we're strangers just passing through.

PICJAG.
“And all these things will be added.” What is there do you disagree with when “Without Me you can do nothing” Agree with much of what you said but not sure if you are saying those are not those things added unto you by seeking first His kingdom and His reign.
 

101G

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“And all these things will be added.” What is there do you disagree with when “Without Me you can do nothing” Agree with much of what you said but not sure if you are saying those are not those things added unto you by seeking first His kingdom and His reign.
we can do nothing without God? for God is our creator, listen, Acts 17:28 "For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring".

understand now?

PICJAG.
 

VictoryinJesus

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we can do nothing without God?
Without Him...no. Do not think we disagree here. Maybe are even sayin the same thing in different ways.
John 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Cannot bear fruit of itself ...nor can add these thing of itself: virtue, patience, diligence, brotherly kindness, godliness, and Charity. Abide in Him...for without Me you can do nothing. The fruits of righteousness which are by Christ. Yes, “for in him we live, and move, and have our being” but there has to be a “seek first His kingdom” “seek first His Reign” before “in him we live and move and have our being” walking in the Spirit of God.

for God is our creator, listen, Acts 17:28 "For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring".

understand now?

or “abide in Me, and I in you” and all these things shall be added unto you, the same bringing forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.
John 15:7-8 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. [8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
 

101G

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Cannot bear fruit of itself ...nor can add these thing of itself: virtue, patience, diligence, brotherly kindness, godliness, and Charity. Abide in Him...for without Me you can do nothing. The fruits of righteousness which are by Christ. Yes, “for in him we live, and move, and have our being” but there has to be a “seek first His kingdom” “seek first His Reign” before “in him we live and move and have our being” walking in the Spirit of God.
agreed, sinners cannot abide in him, hence the rebirth, by the seeking of him while he is found, now found, we live in him, for the time in these flesh bodies we produce, or GROW in Grace..

PICJAG.