Fight the Good Fight of Faith
11But as for you,(A) O man of God,(B) flee these things.(C) Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12(D) Fight the good fight of the faith.(E) Take hold of the eternal life(F) to which you were called and about which you made(G) the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13(H) I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus,(I) who in his testimony before[a] Pontius Pilate made(J) the good confession, 14to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until(K) the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
“Flee (these things)” – what things? Well, what he went into in the verses prior. (v6-10). He was talking about the desire for wealth. Which is really coveting. Which is really idolatry. (Col 3:5) Yes…Idolatry is alive and well, folks.
OK…so if I’m fleeing something, am I pursuing something else?
Yes…glad you asked.
–“Pursue:”
- Righteousness
- Godliness
- Faith
- Love
- Steadfastness
- Gentleness
–“Fight the good fight of faith” – How? See 1-6.
…what else?
–“Take hold of the eternal life” – Eternal perspective. Always. This world is not all there is, and that’s a good thing.
–“Keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach”
…for how long?
“Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus.”
Mike Ruel 
Excellent exposition, Mike. Thanks for sharing.
keep preaching the Word, Mike. What a joy today to hear from our worship leaders… words of grace… the Word of God… leading and calling us to see His beauty and wonder… Immanuel, God with us! How wonderful that God is giving us His Word. As God directs you in leading his church in worship… I am praying for you.
Thanks brother Tim and Ryan!