The victorious King keeps on conquering. His kingdom always increases.50 Today it is still true: “All over the world this Gospel is bearing fruit and growing!” Therefore we have a simple choice: We can be left behind as deserters, cowards51 and rebels who suffer fiery defeat with all God’s enemies.52 Or we can “fight the good fight of the faith.”53 In the Ephesian context, this good fight includes keeping “the pattern of the sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13) and guarding it54 against those who would change it.55 We fight by passing that life-saving message to others “with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). Since this war aims to capture minds and hearts, we are careful to reflect the kindness of Christ.
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:24-25).
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person (Colossians 4:5-6). M
…in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). M
Does this sound very war-like, this careful teaching with “gentleness and respect”? In fact, it is the same war Jesus gave His life to win. Are you “called” and “chosen” and “faithful”? Then that puts you in the middle of this raging war, beside Jesus. It also puts you on the side that wins!
[God’s enemies] will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself…. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:11-12,16).
CHRIST IN YOU CONTINUES HIS MISSION OF MERCY!
CHRIST IN YOU KEEPS ON CONQUERING!
50. Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 2:35,44; Matthew 13:31-32 cf. Acts 6:1,7; 1 Corinthians 3:6
51. Revelation 21:8; 2 Timothy 4:10
52. Revelation 19:15; 20:9-15; 21:27; 22:15
53. 1 Timothy 6:12 cf. 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 4:7; 1 Corinthians 9:25; Philippians 1:30
54. 2 Timothy 1:14 cf. Acts 20:28-31; Philippians 1:7,16; Jude 1:3
55. Research Subject – Threats to the healthy pattern: 1 Timothy 1:3-4,6,19-20; 4:1-3,7; 6:3-5,20; 2 Timothy 1:8-14; 2:14-18; 3:1-9,13; 4:3-4,14-16 cf. Acts 20:29-30
Research Subjects
- The example of Jesus with children
- Satan’s control of this world
- Falling Away
- Bless enemies
- Godly fear
- Threats to the healthy pattern
When we enter into Christ, we enter into a war between good (Christ and His followers) and evil (Satan and his followers). Spiritual attacks can come from many different sources such as difficult times, deceiving teachers and false accusers. The Bible clearly warns that followers of Christ will be tempted and persecuted. Therefore, we should put on the full armor of God. This spiritual armor keeps us focused on God and helps us to win others to Christ. Learn to be a strong link in the Great Commission chain that leads others to Christ. Help them to mature and to teach others in their turn. We capture hearts and minds with kind, gentle instruction, and we know that Christ will be the victor!
Memory Verses
- Ephesians 6:11-12 – Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
- 2 Timothy 3:12 – …all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
- Matthew 28:18-20 – And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- John 20:21 – Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:14 – For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died.
- 2 Timothy 2:2-3 – … and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- Colossians 4:5-6 – Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
- 1 Peter 3:15 – …in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
Victorious King, I know that You are all-powerful. The battle belongs to You. Clothe me with all of Your spiritual armor. Do not let my mind and heart wander from You. Defend me from Satan’s schemes and attacks. Make me into a firm link in your work of reconciling the world to Yourself…