Faith On The Line - Stress, Stress Go Away Vol 18 | Page 11

cause a person to depart from the living God and be lost for eternity! The Remedy for Unbelief I am so thankful for the incredible sacrifice our loving heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ made in order that not one of us, if we so choose, need perish in unbelief. How about you? See John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; and 2 Peter 3:9. What is the remedy to this vicious malady called unbelief? It’s the good fight in 1 Timothy 6:12: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Even though unbelief causes a person to waver at God’s promises, living faith in God strengthens a person to be fully persuaded that what the Lord promises He is able also to perform. And this is what gives us the victory over the world’s temptations that lead to unbelief. What Does it Take to be a Good-Fight Fighter? Are you interested in knowing a little more about how to actually get in and stay in the good battle to believe, the good fight of faith that will protect you from the devil’s devices to ensnare you? The foundational ingredient for experiencing victory over unbelief is found by integrating two Bible texts. Here’s the first one: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12). According to the words in this verse, what comprises the good fight of faith? Taking hold of eternal life! So here’s the Biblical equation: good battle to believe = fight of faith In the Bible, the word “believe” and the word “faith” are synonymous, coming from the same root word. So the “good fight of faith” can be understood as the “good battle to believe.” This battle is what gives people victory over unbelief and the tarnishing worldly effects it has upon spiritual health. John speaks of the victory this fight of faith brings: “and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4). We see this faith victory revealed in Abraham’s experience: He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God (Romans 4:20). As you read that verse, did you see what kept Abraham from staggering at God’s Word? “He was strong in faith, giving glory to God!” Now focus on verse 21. Notice what Abraham’s faith empowered him to experience: And being fully persuaded that, what He (the Lord) had promised, He was able also to perform. Now notice the second text: And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent (John 17:3). According to the words in this verse, what is eternal life centered on? Knowing God and Jesus Christ! Now let’s put it together: If the good fight of faith consists of laying hold of eternal life, and eternal life is centered in knowing God and Jesus Christ, then the good fight of faith that overcomes unbelief is actually the good fight of getting to know God and His Son Jesus Christ. Consider the emphasis the apostle Paul put on this concept in Philippians 3:7-10: But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death (emphasis added). continued on page 26 11 Spring-2012-Magazine-April_4.indd 11 4/4/2012 1:08:26 PM