[April 10th,1853.] The attainment of eternal life is a great and difficult work. It is not to be attained without great effort. 1. Because it implies victory over sin, bringing ourselves into subjection to God, and into conformity to his image. 2. Because the enemies which stand in our way are so numerous.
This truth is variously presented in the Scriptures. It is presented by our Saviour’s exhortation to strive to enter in at the strait gate; by the command to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling; by comparing the Christian life to a race, to a conflict, etc. The latter is the figure here used.
I. What is meant by the fight of faith? II. Why is it called a good fight? III. What is the nature of this conflict? IV. What are the means, or weapons of this warfare?
I. What is the fight of faith?
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The Christian life, considered as a fight.
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It is called the fight of faith, not because it is a conflict in behalf of a creed, but because faith is the contending principle; it is a fight in which faith is the combatant. Such is the life of faith, the walk, the triumph of faith. It is explained by 2 Tim. 4:7: “I have fought a good fight,—I have kept the faith;” that is, faith in the subjective sense. He had not lost his faith, he had kept it unto the end. On this salvation is suspended. “If we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end,” we are made partakers of Christ. The fight, therefore, which we have to endure, is a conflict to preserve the inward life of the soul, which consists in faith.
II. Why is it called a good fight?
- Because it is the conflict in behalf of what is good; not for riches, honor, or dominion, but for holiness. 2. Because it is a conflict which ends in triumph.
III. Nature of the conflict.
The faith here spoken of is, 1. Not merely faith in the being, perfections and government of God. To maintain such a faith is a great thing, considering all the sources of doubt and difficulty which surround us.
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But it is also faith in the gospel, i.e., faith in Christ; in his divinity, incarnation, atonement, intercession, etc.
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Faith in our interest in his redemption, or rather, faith considered as the appropriation to ourselves of the promises of the gospel, and the consequent union of the soul with God.
The enemies of faith are,
1st. A spirit of skepticism. (a.) The sources of this evil. (b.) The cure of it.
2d. A spirit of despondency. (a.) On account of sin, i.e., its power. (b.) On account of guilt.
3d. A distrustful, gloomy spirit. (a.) As to our destiny in this life, and hereafter. (b.) As to our usefulness.
4th. A worldly spirit; a disposition to seek, to fear, to obey the world.
IV. Means of maintaining faith.
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Nearness to God, and sense of dependence.
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Use of the means of grace.
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Exercise of our faith.
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