Fight the good fight of the faith. What does that even mean? It means we keep on obeying Gods Word in faith, no matter what we feel, think or understand. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31‭-‬32 ESV

I can’t help but think about Paul’s faith journey. He was stubborn at heart and thought he was doing good persecuting Christians. He grew up in his beliefs and practices. He didn’t choose his family or his upbringing. He was zealous and devout in his faith by persecuting Christians. BUT GOD changed him radically. He blinded him and brought him to his knees. He showed him He was God. He was the way the truth and the life. He opened his eyes, gave him understanding of the truth, and changed his heart to want to obey Him.

Then Paul become zealous for good works. He was commissioned by and for God. He shared the truth and helped form the early church no matter the circumstances. He contended for the faith. I imagine in his flesh he was a bit overbearing and too strong at times. He was maybe a bit too passionate about sharing the good news and helping believers mature in their faith. I’m sure he got frustrated and even sad when people didn’t listen. He grew weary. He learned to depend on God alone. He would weep and pray on His knees for people to believe and obey God. He at times was ridiculed and punished. Thank God He gave Paul that new direction and calling. He allowed Him to believe and contend for the faith. But it wasn’t easy. It wasn’t glamorous. People didn’t always like him. He had to preserver through tough circumstances.

Thank God that He can relate to us. Jesus also experienced people not listening to him or believing. His own people would not listen. He was mocked and ridiculed. He died fighting the good fight of faith. Some people believed and some people wanted to kill him. Same for today. Some people believe and some won’t. We have to remember the truth. We are just the messengers. We plant seeds. We don’t change hearts and minds. It is God who changes people. What we can do is share and then never stop praying! Ask God to open eyes and soften hearts.

The promise of the Scriptures is that “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16).

“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue [run after] righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge [command] you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing.” 1 Timothy 6:11-14

Keep fighting the good fight of faith. Never give up!