Fight on!

Fight on!  1 Timothy 1.18-19

Game day. Have you been there when the band comes marching onto the field with thousands of college students and other fans yelling, cheering and just generally mobbing, getting reading for the big game?  It is exciting, the sound is deafening, exhilarating, and it is impossible not to get swept up in it!  Then, the band starts playing the fight song … oh, every school has one … and their traditions go waaay back. Since I live in USC (University of Southern California) country, I’m familiar with the rousing sounds of ‘Fight on,’ their song since 1922:  “Fight On for ol' SC, Our men Fight On to victory.  Our Alma Mater dear, looks up to you…Fight On and win for ol' SC--Fight On to victory …Fight On!”   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J55xnFE0Ibo (Preview)   That song is part of the SC tradition; tradition certainly has its place in our lives, and in remembering. Remembering is good.

Paul’s letter to Timothy was his fight song – specially sent with Timothy’s name on it.  And tradition?   While interesting, remembering is invaluable and critical, especially to staying the course.  Paul is saying—‘Hey, Timothy, remember that day back in Lystra when I asked you to join me in ministry, Son?¹  I had heard of your faithfulness to God for years and knew that you had reached maturity and it was time for you to join me in preaching the Gospel.  Timothy, God called you to be his servant.  And it was not just me who saw God working in your life--other men of God spoke out what they saw as well--God’s call on your life so clearly … Son, this is important--do you remember?’ 

‘You were commissioned to serve alongside me for some time, and now to continue there in Ephesus as I have bade you.  Young man, you have been equipped with everything you need to do what you have been called to do.  Remember, right from the time you could understand, your mother and your grandmother taught you the sacred scriptures.  You had a framework—you had been prepared--as you knew the prophecies about the Messiah … so you were ready to step out of the ligatures of the Law and into the freedom of grace in our Lord…’

Friends, take a look at what Paul wrote:  Timothy, my 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 battles. Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 1 Timothy 1.18-19

‘Timothy, I know that some there in Ephesus are trying to lead folks away, and they are doing it by various means—distracting with mythologies and genealogies to prove their superiority; they are even questioning your age—but stand strong.  We serve a risen Savior, and only he has the power to change lives . . . that same supernatural power of Jesus Christ will strengthen and sustain you, son.  Cling to your faith.  Stand on that faith. 

And Timothy, keep your conscience clean.  If you violate your conscience, you invite conflict into your heart, mind and soul—and you give evil an entry point.  One word: don’t.  You must not only preach the Gospel, but also live it out.  Folks are watching you, and how you live is as important as what you say; with some people, it will be even more important. 

Ah, Timothy, “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will continue to be faithful,”² so Fight On!  

Keeping it real:  Do you remember?  Do you remember when God called you to himself—to follow him? 

wIs it possible he is calling you to something greater now?

->Ask him, why don’t you?

Christine

 PastorWoman.com

^{1 – Acts 16}

^{2 – 1 Thessalonians 5.24}