Fighting the Good Fight

Posted by on Dec 28, 2008 in Rev. Serven

Just because we are Christians does not mean there are no enemies or temptations. The Beach-head model of the Christian Life: Softening Up, D-Day, Break-Outs. We are called to be disciples. God has not intended for us to fail but to grow as the Gospel is formed in you. The Lordship over all parts of life. Faith can be strengthened or grow week. Our responsibility: to ask God to give faith. Faith is like a shield to extinguish the fiery darts of the devil. A “good” conscience, redeemed and informed by God’s word and Spirit. In a battle, some are wounded, some are healed and return to duty. The salve of the Gospel and the Great Physician.

Text: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

It has been often noted that we have three enemies in the Christian life—the world, the flesh, and the devil. The Christian struggles against these three throughout one’s entire life. However, the Lord does not leave us without weapons for this on-going warfare. He gives us many, two of which are specifically identified in this passage—the gift of faith and possessing a clear conscience. We also find other weapons listed in various passages throughout the New Testament (cf. 2 Cor. 10:3-6; Eph. 6:10-20; and 1 Thes. 5:5-8). In short, it is good for us to remember that our Lord intends for us to succeed in these on-going skirmishes. The Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter 13 “On Sanctification”, Articles 2-3) puts it this way:

2. This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man; yet imperfect in this life, there still abiding some remnants of corruption in every part; whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.

3. In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a tim, may much prevail; yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so, the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

[podcast]http://www.download.covenantfamilychurch.net/2008/mp3/2008_12_28_fighting_the_good_fight.mp3[/podcast]

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