Great truths bring us great joy. Paul tells Timothy, “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;” (1 Tim 1:18 ) He then goes on to say in his next letter, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2 Tim 2:3 ) Paul gives the command for Timothy to be a soldier, endure and fight.

What kind of warfare was Timothy the soldier to war? Paul tells us, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds); Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Cor 10:3-6 ) Our fight is not a fight against fleshly kings or nations; it’s a fight against ‘strong holds’. He goes on and says our fight uses a weapon that can cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. Our non-carnal weapons can bring every thought to obedience. What a weapon!

We as Christians are like Timothy and engaged in this spiritual warfare. Any war, whether carnal or spiritual, is a terrifying and petrifying experience. We find ourselves in the middle of a battlefield with our own eternal souls on the front lines! Do you hear the bombs of sin going off all around you? Can you see your friends and yourself in danger of being defeated in this spiritual war?

As I already said, “Great truths bring us great joy.” How can we have great joy knowing that we are in the midst of a thundering and bloody battlefield, where the forces of God are battling against the forces of Satan? Where is the joy? Here is the joy! Paul says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim 3:16-17 )

The word of God is given to us. It has the great ability to teach us our doctrine, to convince us that it is true, to correct us from error, and give us the instructions that we need to live a righteous life. Paul speaks of ‘the man of God’. That man of God is you, the Christian. You can be complete, thoroughly equipped with all that you need to fight the good fight of faith.

There is your great joy! God loves you so much, not only did he give you his Son to die for your sins, but he gives us his word to equip us for this spiritual battle. “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Eph 6:11 ) “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph 6:13-17 )

If you are not a Christian, I plea with you to join the good fight of faith! Be obedient to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be buried in the watery grave of Baptism to be raised up by God to walk a new life! (Acts 2:37-38 ) (Rom 6:3-4 )