On Sunday, I preached from 1 Timothy 6:11-16, the text which defines Christian resolve. This passage includes the phrases, "Fight the good fight of faith" and "Take hold of eternal life to which you were called." Studying phrases like these in God's Word is one of the true privileges of being a preaching pastor ... capturing what they mean and crafting how to communicate them with clarity and application. Click here for the sermon link.
"Fight the good fight of faith" - live for Jesus. Stop fighting for futile things and wearing yourself out on them so "you have no energy for Jesus". If this is you, your priorities as a Christian are up-side-down. These futile things will soon enough reveal themselves to you as chasing after the wind. To "fight the good fight of faith" is to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and not be swayed by every wind of doctrine and apathetic delusion. It's to make your faith your main thing, not merely a part of your life, but rather what leads all of you. This also includes fighting for the inception of faith and the growth in faith of others. The training room includes studying God's Word, fervent prayer, legitimate fellowship, and Christian service. Paul was able to say at the end of his life, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). Will you?
"Take hold of eternal life" - live what is already guaranteed for you spiritually. By God's grace, we are given the title "saved" when we first believe in Christ as our Lord and Savior. Also by God's grace, we grow into this title. We make real in our lives the radical change that has occurred in us spiritually. This is the 'on earth as it is in heaven' willfulness which most of us memorized when we were kids but have yet to apply aggressively into our lives. Christ calls us to a path to heaven, not just to heaven. None of us can see that you have eternal life unless you've "taken hold" of it and let your destination aim the way you live.
Exercise is always in the top 5 most common New Year's resolutions. It's important and one of mine, but check this out: "For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8