Today!! DEVO
Day 4: Keep Fighting!
The Apostle Paul wrote to Pastor Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith…”
I think some Christians have sold a bill of goods that when you become a Christian that you won’t suffer or have loss another day in your life and that’s not true…
The Fight that The Apostle Paul was speaking of was his entire Christian Life. Before Paul became a Christian he was a Pharisee, He was a Saducee, He was a persecutor of the Church. He hated Jesus and His followers. He saw them as a threat to Judaism and everything that he had ever been taught and believed in. Jesus and His followers, in Paul’s (Saul’s) opinion, needed to be eradicated from the earth and Paul (Saul) set out to do that. He was applauded by his fellow Jews for his leadership in destroying the Church. He said of himself that he was a Pharisee among Pharisees. He was the Smartest, he was the most perfect in keeping the law of Moses.. He probably had a pretty cushy life as a Pharisee. He had power and respect, he had security and wealth…
When Saul (Paul) was on the way to Damascus to continue his war on The Church, he was suddenly thrown from his donkey and blinded by a bright light. In that moment Saul called out, “Who are you Lord”... Obviously Saul had no idea who or what had just happened but he knew whatever power this was, he was going to give respect and honor by submitting to Lordship… The answer to Saul’s question came back, “I’m Jesus WHO YOU PERSECUTE”...
That day forever changed the Murderous Pharisee Saul into the Great Apostle Paul, the writer of ⅔’s of the New Testiment. The man credited with evangelizing the whole known world.
You would think that a man that gave his life to Christ and that did all these amazing things would have lived an even easier life as a Christian than he ever did as a murderous pursecuter…
This was not the case… Paul suffered beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonments, loss of relationships, insults, mockings and ultimately a Martyrs death…
Paul’s Fight of faith was not without injury, his race wasn’t without obstacles.
Paul is actually awaiting his be-heading when he writes this passage of scripture to the Philippians.
Philippians 1:12-24 “I want you to know brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13) so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14) and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15) Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16) The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17) but the later out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18) What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. 19) For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20) according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21) For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22) But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23) For I am hard-pressed between two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24) Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you…”
Paul didn't see his struggles as what man could do to him. He struggled with weather or not he had done enough for the Kingdom of God!
Paul made a choice to stay and fight until his fight was won and his race was finished.
Your life as a Christian is not going to be void of struggle and obstacles but it can be void of the fear of it. You don’t have to be afraid of the things this life can throw at you. Only be concerned with your race, only be concerned with the GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH!