But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV)
When we become believers we receive the indwelling of the powerful Holy Spirit equipping us to fight the good fight of faith. Our faith which we claim forgiveness through the blood of Jesus is the very faith that gives us the Holy Spirit – He is the good Gift - empowering us to live a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ. We never have one without the other – redemption and forgiveness for our sins through the blood of Jesus is always accompanied by the Holy Spirit.
As we dwell on the promises of God, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes enabling us to remove unbelief and freeing us from the sins that so easily entangle with all its ravages and consequences. The battle for the good fight of faith is to be freed from sin and its harming effects. Of course we never get there totally until we are home with the Lord but we are always to be killing sin in our lives that God brings to light through His Spirit. Our bodies – mere jars of clay - are designed to be the temples of the living God – that is the Holy Spirit - filing us afresh with His glory. It is He that enables us to finish our race well.
God’s Word and the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit are great builders of our faith. Both are necessary to grow up in the faith which God so desires for every saint. He did not want us to remain as infants – tossed and thrown about by every wind of doctrine. Rather, we are to grow up in Him Who is the Head. We read the promises of God and we pray for the Holy Spirit’s help to both enlighten and equip us on our sojourn to heaven. Our steps are to be progressing towards our being conformed into the image of Jesus. We all should desire to hear the words at the end of our lives: “well done good and faithful servant”. It matters greatly how we live out this one life we have.
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NIV)