Honoring Those Who “Fight the Good Fight Of The Faith”

It’s tough to stand up for God’s Truth.

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Every country thankfully remembers those who battled for their freedom and protection. In the USA, we celebrate Memorial Day to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. We are deeply grateful for their sacrifice. As Christians, we should do something similar regarding those who died for our faith. We should remember those who “Fight the good fight of the faith.” (1 Timothy 6:12a ESV)

Image by Dr Michael D Evans via www.flickr.com with modification.

Fighting isn’t fun. By nature, I’m not a fighter. Most people aren’t. Most prefer peace and harmony. But while standing up for truth isn’t easy, it’s vitally important. We are to “fight the good fight of the faith.”

But what does that mean?

Here’s what I found when I studied how we’re to “fight the good fight of the faith.”

1. Christians are to live in peace, but peace is not always attainable.

Romans 12:8 instructs, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (ESV)

Notice this verse implies that it is not always possible to live peaceably.

It doesn’t say “do anything needed to live in peace.” It just says, “If possible.” Often it isn’t possible.

I’ve been studying the Acts of the Apostles. Much of the time their preaching resulted in conflict and persecution.

Even Jesus couldn’t make peace with everyone. He died a very violent death, because people hated Him and His teaching. The religious leaders despised His direct confrontation of their hypocrisy and false religiosity.

Jesus called them:

• blind guides (Matthew 23:16).

• fools (Matthew 23:17).

• whited sepulchres…full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness (Matthew 23:27).

• serpents (Matthew 23:33).

• Ye generation of vipers (Matthew 23:33).

• hypocrites! (Luke 11:44).

• graves which appear not (Luke 11:44).

Did Jesus back off from Truth in the name of “love?” No, He said it like it is.

2. To act lovingly means to speak the truth and correct false teachings.

In John 15:20a Jesus said, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (ESV)

As a blogger, the “hate mail” I’ve received usually has come when I’ve confronted false teaching and false teachers.

I don’t like hate mail, but quite honestly, I like it a lot better than not speaking God’s Truth. To “fight the good fight ” means that some won’t like what I say. But that’s par for the course. Consider others who spoke out against false teaching in the Bible:

• John the Baptist (Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7)

• The Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 11:12-15; Galatians 2:11-14)

• The Apostle Peter (2 Peter 2:1-3)

• The Apostle John (2 John 9-11)

• The Apostle Jude (Jude 3-4)

Please click the links to read the passages and their example and warnings that believers must speak out against unbiblical teaching.

They didn’t sugar-coat the Truth. They set the example we must follow to “fight the good fight.”

3. In debatable issues, we must follow our personal convictions and tolerate the convictions of others.

To “fight the good fight” doesn’t mean that I fight for my personal preferences and biases. That would be an easy mistake to make, and many have made it.

But Scripture is clear that to “fight the good fight” means to contend for clear biblical teaching. If the Bible isn’t clear, then we follow our own convictions and accept the convictions of others.

This is the clear instruction of several passages: Romans 14:1-23; 1 Corinthians 10:23-33; Colossians 2:16-23

So, one test of a great Bible teacher is that the teacher distinguishes between personal opinions and what the Bible clearly teaches. Some teachers sound like their way, although not clearly stated in the Bible, is God’s way. Be careful of such dogmatism and egoism.

Toward the end of his life, the Apostle Paul could say in the past tense, “I have fought the good fight.” (2 Timothy 4:7 ESV)

I hope to be able to say the same, and I wish the same for you.

Your thoughts are welcome! Please leave your comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• Have You Written Your Own Bible?

• Beware of Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

• Is Donald Trump a Christian?

• Jesus Wasn’t Always “Seeker Sensitive”

• Video vlog: Twisting Scripture

• Podcast: Does salvation come only through faith in Christ? (exclusivism)

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How Can And Should A Christian Apologize?

It’s hard for many to do, and even harder to do well.

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I hate to mess up! Even worse, I hate to apologize. Am I unusual? I don’t think so. I recently asked a group of Christians how many believe an apology is the mark of a good Christian and a good leader. They were in almost unanimous agreement that it is.

Dale Carnegie wrote in his fabulous bestseller How to Win Friends and Influence People: “When we are wrong—and that will be surprisingly often, if we are honest with ourselves—let’s admit our mistakes quickly and with enthusiasm. It is a lot more fun, under the circumstances, than trying to defend one’s self.”[1]

To apologize is not a sign of weakness, bad character or bad leadership. It’s a sign of strength, good character and good leadership.

But how should we apologize? You can probably think of examples of poorly done apologies. Here’s how to do it right.

Here are seven steps to apologize, from a biblical Christian viewpoint:

1. State your wrong behavior and call it what it is.

Our inclination is to “cover-up” our wrongdoing. Many apologies never come until someone is caught red-handed. Then when caught, we often want to whitewash what we’ve done or even lie to deny it.

Or, rather than admit it, we wait and force the other party to point out our error.

So, the first step of a Christian apology is to come right out and voluntarily state what you’ve done:

I liedI stoleI cheatedI was lazyI shouldn’t have said…

King David learned that covering up causes internal angst and emotional exhaustion. He wrote: “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” (Psalm 32:3-4 NIV)

So as painful as it is, let’s come right out and admit it.

2. Take responsibility.

When we admit a wrong, we often try to ease our pain by deflecting responsibility and our confession is followed by a “but” or “however.” Those words are usually an attempt to shift blame and deflect guilt.

I once hiked up a mountain to a cross and the trail crossed some private property. I recorded this video close by. The owner didn’t like it and confronted me. I said, “But my friend who lives nearby told me it was OK.” That didn’t help. He soon threatened to get his gun out the next time someone trespassed!

God says, “If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8 ESV)

Through bad experiences I’ve learned that it is far better to own up to my mistakes:

• I’ve messed up

• I blew it

• I’m guilty

• I sinned

• It’s my fault

• I take responsibility

Respect diminishes when we blame-shift, trying to justify or excuse our mistakes and bad behavior.

Respect begins to return when we take responsibility for our actions.

3. Apologize for the pain that you’ve inflicted and express remorse.

Romans 14:19 says, “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (ESV)

Giving and receiving an apology is key to fulfilling the goal of peace and mutual upbuilding.

We can say:

I deeply regret the pain this has caused you.I’m so sorry for the embarrassment I have brought to our company.I apologize for what I have done and how it caused so much difficulty.I know my wrongdoing has been hurtful to you and I am so sorry.

Warning: There are times when your apology might be met with bitterness, distrust or disdain. That’s OK—do the right thing anyway. The Bible tells us “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18 ESV) The implication of this verse is to do the right thing, no matter how your apology is met.

4. Explain what you’re going to do to correct the wrong behavior so it won’t continue.

An apology is hollow if it doesn’t include any intention to change the wrong behavior. If someone hurts us, apologizes and then turns right around and does the same thing again, we know their apology was fake.

In the Bible, to “repent” means a change of mind. It means a turning from wrong to do right.

Ezekiel 18:30b says, “Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you!” (NLT)

That is what God desires and we all desire when we’ve been wronged.

For example, if a spouse has been unfaithful, they need to plan steps to insure the behavior will not occur again. Steps such as:

• Biblical counseling

• An accountability group

• Marriage counseling

• Cut off contact with the other party in the acts of unfaithfulness

• Removing access to pornography if an issue

5. Ask for forgiveness.

After the four steps above, we have established a basis on which to request the favor of an expression of forgiveness.

The value of asking and receiving forgiveness is the potential of a restored relationship.

After Jacob stole his brother Esau’s birthright, they didn’t see each other for nearly 20 years. When they finally met, Jacob was deeply fearful of his brother’s potential desire for revenge.

But it didn’t happen. Instead, we read this touching description: “He himself [Jacob] went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.” (Genesis 33:3-4 ESV)

Bowing seven times, in that culture and circumstance, was a wonderful way to apologize. And Esau accepted his apology.

In contemporary culture, we might say:

• I know I don’t deserve it, but would you please forgive me?

• I’m so sorry, would you please accept my apology?

• I deeply regret what I have done. Could you ever forgive me?

6. Accept whatever response you receive.

As Christians, we are commanded to forgive. (See my article Forgiving is So Important It’s Scary!)

However, we cannot force anyone to forgive us. Sometimes our victims are not ready to express forgiveness (even though it would be the healthiest thing for them to do). Wounds might be too deep, more proof of remorse might be needed, and more evidence of change might need to be given.

Thus, we are delighted when our forgiveness is accepted, but we accept whatever response is given.

Forgiveness cannot be demanded.

If the offended is unable to give or express forgiveness, give them more time and do more restorative work to rebuild the relationship—such as in the next step.

7. Make amends or restitution whenever possible.

Restitution is a biblical concept seen both in the Old and New Testaments. It means the return of something to its rightful owner, and recompense for injury or loss.

In Luke 19, when the tax collector Zacchaeus began to follow Jesus, we read:

“And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house.’” (Luke 19:8-9a ESV)

Note that his restitution didn’t cause his salvation, but was a sign of true repentance. In a similar way, we can demonstrate true remorse by making amends as best we can.

How?

• Return what you stole.

• Correct false statements (with whoever might have heard them).

• Give a gift.

• Take to lunch or dinner.

• Do a favor.

In summary, these seven steps will ensure that you have done everything you can to right a wrong and as a result mend an injured relationship. To apologize, and do it the right way, is the sign of a great person, a great leader, a great family member and a wonderful friend.

Your thoughts are welcome! Please leave your comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• What is True Forgiveness?

• Forgiving is So Important It’s Scary

• How to Handle Guilt and Stop Holding a Grudge Against Yourself

• Why I Burned My Sister at the Stake

• Who Needs Jesus, I’m a Good Person

• 3 Acceptable Sins You Can Enjoy Today…or NOT!

[1]Quoted in Good Guilt, Bad Guilt by Becca Cowan Johnson, IVP, 1996, p. 139.

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4 Characteristics In The Attitude Of A Winner, Part 2

The second two characteristics.

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Glenn Cunningham was a remarkable winner. His legs were severely burned in a schoolhouse explosion in which his brother was killed. Semi-conscious, Glenn heard the doctor tell his mother that he would surely die. But he made up his mind that he would survive.

Glenn Cunningham

Later, doctors recommended amputating Glenn’s legs. But he was so distressed by the thought that his parents refused the amputation. The doctors said he’d never walk normally. He had lost all the flesh on his knees and shins, and the toes on his left foot.

But with tremendous determination and countless hours of therapy, he gradually began to walk and later to run.

Cunningham competed in the 1932 and 1936 Summer Olympics. He was voted “Most Popular Athlete” by his fellow Olympians, finishing just ahead of Jesse Owens. He and Owens roomed together in the Olympics and developed a lifelong friendship.

In 1936, he set the world record in the 800 meter run. In 1938, he set the world record in the indoor mile run. Many consider Glenn Cunningham the greatest miler of all time.

Glenn drew strength and inspiration through his faith in Jesus Christ. He is a wonderful illustration of a Christian with the biblical attitude of a winner.

Philippians 4:13 says “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (NLT)

From that verse, I see four characteristics of the attitude of a winner.

In my first article on this topic, I covered the first two. Now let’s consider number three and four:

#3. An “I Can Do Everything Through Christ” Attitude

If anyone should have a winning attitude, it is followers of Jesus Christ.

We have so many reasons to be optimistic:

• We have the promise that no matter what happens, “all things work together for good.”(Romans 8:28)

• We have the power of the Holy Spirit working in us and through us! “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)

• We have the knowledge that we have a fantastic future home in heaven forever! Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3 ESV)

All of this and so much more should bring believers a lightened load, a happy heart and a winning attitude.

We can have a sense of certainty, confidence and hope like King David who wrote: “Yes, though a mighty army marches against me, my heart shall know no fear! I am confident that God will save me.” (Psalm 27:3 TLB)

We can approach each day as the psalmist who wrote: “But, O my soul, don’t be discouraged. Don’t be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that he will do. He is my help! He is my God!” (Psalm 42:11 TLB)

Like Glenn Cunningham, true believers throughout Scripture could endure terrible difficulties and overcome incredible odds with remarkable…

• Confidence

• Faith

• Boldness

• Peace

• Courage

• Expectation

How? These come when we have an “I can do all things through Christ” winner attitude.

If you have Jesus, you can have a “God-sized attitude.” Do you have a “God-sized attitude?”

In fact, not only can we have an optimistic attitude, we can have a “God-sized dream.”

If you have Jesus, you can dream “God-sized dreams.” Do you have a “God-sized dream?”

The ministry I founded in the fall of 2016, Discipleship Journeys with Jesus, has a vision to “take ½ million people on discipleship journeys” in the Bible.

📷

That might sound outlandish. However, God can do it! God is a Winner!

I want a “God-sized dream,” not a “Mark-sized dream.”

My prior ministry, Dynamic Church Planting International, has the vision to equip leaders to impact the planting of 5 million churches. Over 18 years we grew from training just a handful each year, to 25,000 in 2015, my final year there. God worked in big ways as we acted in faith!

Was it always easy? Absolutely not! It was sometimes incredibly challenging:

• A coworker’s wife died from cancer soon after we started.

• Things were very slow at first.

• We had financial struggles from time to time.

• Staff member gave up and left for various reasons.

Yet we kept on going and believed that, “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”  (Philippians 4:13 NLT)

What is your “God-sized vision?” I challenge you to trust God for something that could only happen through Him.

James 4:2 says, “You have not because you ask not.” If you don’t have a “God-sized vision,” pray and ask God to give you one today!

#4 An “I Can Do Everything Through Christ, Who Gives Me Strength” Attitude

Where did Glenn Cunningham find strength to overcome immense obstacles? He found it in Christ, the One who gives strength.

His favorite Bible verse was Isaiah 40:31 which says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (TLB)

Where do we find strength when…

• We’re severely injured

• We experience a financial setback

• We have a difficult relational challenge

We must “wait upon the Lord” so He can renew our strength, as Isaiah 40:31 says.

How do we “wait upon the Lord?” We linger patiently in the presence of the Lord in prayer, study of His Word, listening and trusting.

That is what Jesus did, when he faced the cross. The night before he was crucified, He knew exactly what was ahead. So, what did He do? He prayed all night in the Garden of Gethsemane. In fact, He prayed so emotionally that He sweat great drops of blood.

He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Luke 22:42 NLT)

The next day He bore our sins on the cross.

You might be facing huge trials. Do what Jesus did. “Wait on the Lord”

There are many times when I feel weak, overwhelmed, incapable, confused. When that happens, I “wait on the Lord” and practice “biblical thought replacement.”

What is “biblical thought replacement?” It is simply replacing my thoughts with God’s thoughts from the Bible.

I meditate on Scriptures such as this: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NIV)

And Ephesians 3:20 which says that God “…is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (NIV)

My all-time favorite “biblical thought replacement” is from the experience of the Apostle Paul who wrote:

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV)

I love to remember that “when I am weak, then I am strong” through the power of Christ who strengthens me. 

When I remember that, I always feel like a winner.

Biblical thought replacement can gradually change…

• Our fears into reassurance

• Our lack of confidence into confidence

• Our sorrow into peace

• Our shame into approval

How does this happen? It happens when you’re “…strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” (Ephesians 3:16b ESV)

Why does it happen? Because “God has power to shower all kinds of blessings upon you, so that, having, under all circumstances and on all occasions, all that you can need, you may be able to shower all kinds of benefits upon others.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 TCNT)

You CAN have the attitude of a winner! Practice these four characteristics and you’ll be amazed at the changes.

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• How Reluctant Leaders Become Confident Achievers for God

• 5 Simple Techniques to Become an Extraordinary Achiever

• How to Medal in Every Event in Life

• How to Know if You’re a Powerful, Fruitful Christian

• Opposition often means you’re right on track

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth