Waging warfare and fighting the good fight.
Posted by appolus on February 16, 2023
1Ti 1:5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of sincere faith.
Love is the fulfilling of the law (Rom 13:8-10) The whole purpose and fulfillment of the law was found in Christ! So why then was there so much trouble at Ephesus? Why would young Timothy be under pressure and from whom? The same old suspects, the Judaizers and those who desired to be teachers. Teaching their own ideas of what the Law was and what it meant and what its purpose was. A myriad of teachings that were from their own vain imaginations, causing disputes rather than causing unity in Christ. Desiring to be a class of teachers, priests, rabbis. A clergy class. Desiring to be supported because of their “knowledge.” And yet this desire to be teachers of the law, when they had no real understanding of the fulfillment of the law (if they did they would desire to be servants, as Paul was, working with his own hands)
We know from Scripture that those who knew Jesus, the fulfillment of the law, walked in love from a pure heart, from a good conscience and from a sincere faith. And those who did not know Jesus in this way, turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers and lacking understanding. In America today, there are roughly 30,000 salaried “pastors.” That is 15,000 “pastors for every state. My brothers, let there not be many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation (Jas 3:1) The clergy/laity divide has only served to increase the desire to be teachers. There is not the same desire to be servants of all. Jesus washed the feet of servants, do clergy, for the main part wash feet? Ever notice in the sacramental systems of denominations, there is no feet washing? You will not find it in non-denominations either.
Timothy is exhorted by Paul to fight the good fight. Paul knew, from sore experience, just how difficult it was to deal with those who considered themselves teachers. This is why he prayed so fervently for Timothy. He likened it to waging warfare. The same warfare has been waged by the remnant saints down through the ages. The Hymenaeus’s and Alexanders have always been entrenched in religious activities much like Diotrephes. Men who love the preeminence. Men who know nothing of the fulfillment of the Law but rather became laws unto themselves, passing themselves of as teachers of the law and becoming the deadliest enemies of the twice born man. Brothers and sisters let us walk in love with a pure heart from a good conscience and from a sincere faith. Trusting in God and His Word and having discernment to identify those who simply desire to be teachers, who desire to be kept, who will not work with their own hands. We shall know men by their fruit. Do men serve or do men desire to be served?
A Call To The Remnant 
Anonymous said
Amen…
Waging warfare and fighting the good fight. – Online Answers said
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Rebecca said
I am not a member but belonged to a mission group at a church in the town I live in. I was selected to ‘spotlight’ missions in our meetings. I know of a mission group who operate out of The Golan Heights (FAI) so they were the first one I reported on … sought support and prayer for. The second group of missionaries were out of NY to the Bangladeshi peoples.
The leader asked, “Are they Southern Baptist?” To which I answered I do not know I don’t look at the domination. I only look at the fruit of their labor. She told me I would have to report only on southern baptist so I then told her if that is the case I could not fulfill the position. She then told the group I wasn’t comfortable doing southern baptist to which I replied ‘not true’ repeating what I had told her. The Holy Spirit gave me 1 Corinthians 12 and I also gave them Romans 12.
I am waiting on the LORD in regard to staying in this church or leaving. We do have to fight the good fight and we have to contend for the faith. Jesus will build His church and the gates (authority) of hell will not prevail against it. Truth is absolute without sway … Our salvation is a gift of grace but we must die to self daily. This opposition was sudden and sharp. It hurt but Jesus sustained me.
We must learn to stand…even when the rejection hurts and makes no sense. I think of Jeremiah 12:5. There is coming much tribulation and persecution … this was nothing in comparison. Deception can be so subtle…discernment and wisdom is to be prayed for. I am learning not to turn to the left or right but to keep my focus on Jesus. Only those who stand in His shadow will stand. Even if it means standing alone.
kimberlysharyllmcbride said
John 12:26
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour
Acts 5:41
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name
I saw this in a different way a few weeks ago “if any man serve me him will my Father honour.” Being despised and rejected of men, isolated, left alone etc… It is upside-down thinking according to our carnal minds. 1 Cor 2:16
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him?…..But we have the mind of Christ
appolus said
Indeed, suffering lies at the heart of the true servant of God……..bro Frank
appolus said
Amen Rebecca, the truth has to be our north star. Jesus spoke the truth in John 6 and suddenly the multitude was diminished down to almost nothing. Keeping following the Word and Lord sister………bro Frank.