The good fight
“For the Sake of”
There are many reasons to fight the good fight for our faith. We can have confidence that our efforts are not in vain. While we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, we still have to live in a carnal world with the daily battles of our fallen nature. Our greatest weapon of war is prayer. Without prayer, we can fall into deception, depression, and sin. God has given us His Word and the ability to overcome every obstacle. We must stir up the gifts within us, keeping our eyes on the prize. We must focus on the reason why we should keep fighting the good fight of faith. Our greatest motivation must be love. When love for others is our motivation, our faith, which God calls righteousness, is energized. Faith keeps us going when things seem hopeless. Faith keeps us believing in salvation and a good outcome, no matter how bad things look. For the sake of others, we believe, hope, and endure. It is faith rooted in love that motivates us to sacrifice. The apostle Paul said, “Just as I please everyone in all things [as much as possible adapting myself to the interests of others], not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, so that they [will be open to the message of salvation and] may be saved” (I Corinthians 10:33, AMP).
There are times we must let things go, even if we don’t agree, so we can connect with those who may not be where we are spiritually. This does not mean we agree with or take part in sin. We cannot reach those who believe we have ulterior motives or who don’t think we really care. We must be concerned about what is going on in their lives. We must offer prayer, encouragement, or even physical things if we are able. Even though we suffer through the challenges of this life, we can have victories and bring the spoils of war into the house of God. Those we bring in can be healed, strengthened, and equipped to shore up the breaches in the house of God. God, who is faithful, will continue to add to His Kingdom and Church in this world. He has a purpose and a plan to provide for His body. We are part of that plan. I Chronicles 26:27 says, “From spoil won in battles they dedicated gifts to maintain and repair the house of the Lord.”
It takes prayer, determination, and a desire to esteem others better than ourselves to make sacrifices for the sake of those we don’t even know. We do so believing in the faithfulness of God, for the sake of our families, and those we do know. When we give to God and His Kingdom, making the souls of men our greatest commodity, God will supply all our needs. King David loved God, and made provision for the sake of posterity, saying; “Moreover, because I delight in the house of my God, the [personal] treasure that I have of gold and silver, I give to the house of my God, in addition to all that I have already provided for the holy house” (I Chronicles 29:3).When we put the kingdom of God first, we are promised that all things will be added to us. God always exceeds our expectations, but what greater treasure is there than the souls of our loved ones? Let’s stay in the mindset of prayer every day for the sake of humanity.
Beth Marie Evans
WNOP Prayer Requests Coordinator
International Christian Fellowship
Westmont, Illinois
Information from: WNOP Prayer Connect Newsletter
