J.C. Ryle wrote the book, Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots. In Chapter IV. The Fight, he addresses 1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith.” He writes of spiritual warfare: “It is the fight which everyone who would be saved must fight about his soul.”

Ryle makes some key points.

1.True Christianity is a fight.

The true Christian is called to be a soldier, and must behave as such from the day of his conversion to the day of his death. He is not meant to live a life of religious ease, indolence, and security. He must fight the flesh, the world, and the devil.

2.True Christianity is the fight of faith.

It is not waged with carnal weapons, but with spiritual. Faith is the hinge on which victory turns. Success depends entirely on believing. A special faith in our Lord Jesus Christ’s person, work, and office, is the life, heart, and mainspring of the Christian soldier’s character.

-The Leader and Commander of all believers is our Divine Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ- a Saviour of perfect wisdom, infinite love, and almighty power.

-The Christian’s fight is good, because it is fought with the best of helps.

-The Christian fight is a good fought, because it is fought with the best of promises.

-The Christian’s fight is a good fight, because it is fought with the best of issues and results.

-The Christian’s fight is good, because it does good to the soul of him that fights it.

-The Christian’s fight is a good fight, because it does good to the world.

-The Christian’s fight is good, because it ends in a glorious reward for all who fight it.

For your own happiness’ sake resolve this day to join the Lord’s side. Shake off your past carelessness and unbelief. Come out from the ways of a thoughtless, unreasoning world. Take up the cross, and become a good soldier of Christ. “Fight the good fight of faith,” that you may be happy as well as safe…Fear not to go on fighting, if you once enlist…Finally, let us remember that the time is short, and the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. A few more battles and the last trumpet shall sound, and the Prince of Peace shall come to reign on a renewed earth.

Prayer- Almighty God, help us to recognize the fight between light and darkness, and good and evil. Open our spiritual eyes so that we may be aware of the struggle that is in our midst. We know that you are all-powerful and the victory has already been won in Christ. But in the meantime, the struggle on this earth is real and ever-present. Help us not be afraid but rather to be bold. Help us to be bold in our faith, our prayers, and our obedience. In the name of Jesus, and for His glory, Amen.