Fight the Good Fight
With contentment in mind, Paul brings another lesson to Timothy and us beginning with verse 11 where he says, “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1Tim. 6:11). Let’s zoom in on the words Paul used here, “flee these things”. Some examples, it was the angel of the Lord that told Joseph to “flee to Egypt”, to avoid the wrath of king Herod. Paul is saying that you must run away from a place or situation of danger.
As you flee from these things you must also pursue something, that is to say, you are not just running away from something—you are also to run to something. Running away from danger and running to safety.
Verse 12 Paul says we are to, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Tim. 6:12). The road that leads to eternal life is paved with obstacles, with temptations, with hard choices—and it is an uphill battle. Now listen to me carefully: The latter means you have set aside everything pertaining to this life, everything, even some relationships, in order to pursue Jesus, purse your King, having all you focus all your desire for eternal life.
If that is true then brethren, fight the good fight, lay hold of eternal life…