The Good Fight

Hebrews 12:1 encourages believers to persevere in the race of faith, reminding us of the great cloud of witnesses that surround us, cheering us on in our journey:

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, NASB)

A Lifelong Struggle

Today's reflection is born out of a personal, lifelong struggle— a battle that, if l'm honest, often leaves me feeling discouraged. My initial thoughts were quite negative, driven by the frustrating notion that I should be "over this" by now. But God, in His grace, redirected my focus through an article by J.C. Ryle entitled "The Fight."

There are two lies that our enemy, Satan, would have us believe: first, that sin is no longer present within us, and second, that the war against sin is no longer necessary. These lies are dangerous and seductive, tempting us to forget that we are still in the midst of spiritual warfare. As Steve Brown would say, "this is from the pit of hell and they smell like smoke."

The apostle Paul, who openly wrestled with the reality of sin in his life, particularly in Romans 7, knew well the struggle against the flesh. Yet, in his letter to Timothy, Paul casts the battle in a positive light: "Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12, NASB) The Good Fight of Faith

J.C. Ryle, in his wisdom, reminds us that the child of God is marked by two things: inward warfare and inward peace. Another wise saying echoes this sentiment: "The same gospel that brings peace with God brings war with sin." This is a profound truth. When I war against my sin, the snares, and any other opposition that comes my way, it's a sign that I am still alive in Christ. I haven't fallen asleep spiritually; the Holy Spirit is still at work within me, rousing me to resist the devil and my sin.

The Christian fight is not just any war; it is the best war the world has ever known. As Ryle puts it, "The Christian fight is a good fight-really good, truly good, emphatically good." Yes, the war is fierce. The battle sometimes beats and bloodies us. At our lowest, we may feel tempted to despair. But here's the truth: we are evidently no friends of Satan. Like the rulers of this world, he wars not against his own subjects.

Abiding in Christ

Ryle offers us invaluable counsel in this good fight: "Would anyone live the life of the Christian soldier? Let him abide in Christ, get closer to Christ, tighten his hold on Christ every day that he lives." The key to victory in this spiritual battle lies not in our own strength, but in our closeness to Christ. As we draw nearer to Him, His strength becomes ours, and His victory over sin empowers us to continue the fight.

Conclusion: Fight On

Christian, fight on; resist fervently. "There is no holiness without a warfare. Saved souls will always be found to have fought a fight," Ryle assures us. And that's a good thing! The very presence of the battle within us is evidence that we are alive in Christ and that the Holy Spirit is actively working in us to conform us to the image of our Savior.

The fight against sin is not just a necessary part of the Christian life-it's a good and noble struggle that draws us closer to Jesus, deepens our reliance on Him, and ultimately brings glory to God. So let us run with endurance the race set before us, laying aside every encumbrance and sin that seeks to entangle us, knowing that we do not fight alone, but with the power of Christ who strengthens us. Amen.

Kenneth Beaton