Fight, Cling, and Keep!

I tell it often to those I’m teaching about the Bible: As often as you can, pull out the verbs... the action words... so you can know exactly what the Lord expects from you within the passage. And today they were crystal clear. 1 Tim 1:18-19 is Paul exhorting his spiritual son. “Here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you FIGHT well in the Lord’s battle. CLING to your faith in Christ and KEEP your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their conscience; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.”

Paul is reminding his protégé of the good hopes others had for him. He’s lovingly foreshadowing Timothy’s usefulness as well as warning him about the necessity of fighting well, clinging to his faith, and keeping his moral efforts in check.

He’s reminding Timothy AND US today that the war we wage is real but victory is possible! Possible because of the resurrected Christ who lives in us. Possible if we engage daily in the cause for righteousness. If we remain faithful to our post and to the Commander in charge. If we keep watchful over the movement of the enemy. If we refuse to compromise His standards for Holy living. If we remain steadfast in our pursuit of godliness until our army enlistment has expired.

Oh that we would keep in the forefront of our mind, the battle that rages against us for our very soul. And with everything in us, determine to keep our weapons of faith and good conscience ever present and working to give us the endurance needed to fulfill our assignment with strength!

Fight, Cling, and Keep!!