Aren’t the words peace and fight on opposite sides of Christian living?
One of the most impactful Christ followers of the New Testament, Paul, encourages believers to both have peace and take part in a fight. What we need to know is whose peace and which fight.
Jesus is the source of peace, which he gives to his followers.
This peace is foremost related to our relationship with God, for which Jesus sacrificed his life (Romans 5:1-2). The ways in which we are able to experience this is at times beyond comprehension! Philippians 4:6-7 tells us how we can have peace even in our most difficult situations: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (NIV).
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” is what Jesus told his disciples in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:9 ESV). He set an example for us of living peaceably with others. Jesus modeled how to do this by knowing his purpose, being in communion with God, and trusting God’s will.
As we live in peace, then, what are we believers to be fighting?
There is a fight of good versus evil.
We see this played out in daily life as we wrestle with sinful tendencies and as we see evil challenging good in society. There is, though, much more than what meets the eye. We might not often think about the reality and effects of the unseen. The spiritual world is active around us and this what we are to be fighting!
We are to “fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience.” After heartily proclaiming God’s abundant grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love for sinners, Paul counsels Timothy with this statement. He goes on to say, “Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith” (1 Timothy 1:18b-19). Later in the same letter, he charges Timothy, “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” (6:12).
We are to hold on to our faith and live out our faith. In the Lord’s strength and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are to fight against sinful tendencies, worldly distractions, and evil’s agenda. The spiritual armor God gives us is for the spiritual warfare in which we must engage (Ephesians 6:10-18). We are to stay alert and pray, using God’s truths to defend and oppose and stand firm in faith.
May we be found faithful as we persevere.
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