Creed, effectively Rocky VII, is another story of an unknown going up against an unbeatable opponent and gaining respect as a fighter. Starting with Rocky in 1976, the seven film series has grossed over $1 billion at the worldwide box office! What is it about “the fight” with a very consistent story line that keeps people buying tickets?
What is worth a fight for you? The consistent thread through the Rocky films seems to be manhood – A real man keeps getting up! While walking in the neighborhood recently, a friend and his wife were held up at gun point by three young men, all under 18. They were carrying no money so the boys just ran off. My friend was overwhelmed with how defenseless he was. His instinct was to fight for his wife and their safety but the boys had the upper hand. There may be no getting up from a gun shot at close range.
The Good Fight: “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.” – 1Timothy 6:12. Paul is calling Timothy to fight the good fight because he knows from personal experience that Timothy will take some body blows on the journey ahead. Paul is encouraging his protégé to have an eternal perspective in the midst of battles he will face and to keep getting up to fight the enemy.
King Josiah (2Kings 22 & 23), fought the good fight for the kingdom of Judah over 600 years before Paul’s time. After having the Book of the Law read in his presence, the king was convicted of how far the people of Judah had drifted away from the Lord in their sinful practices. King Josiah confessed the sins of his house and his father’s house and repented. He then read the Book of the Law aloud to all the people of Judah and called them to confess and turn back to the Lord. The people embraced the Truth that was read to them, confessed and repented, turning back to God.
Prayer guide: Lord, I have failed to fight the good fight for the faith. I confess that I have gotten caught up fighting a lot of temporal battles, fights that do not matter in the grand scheme of things while brushing off fights that have eternal significance. Forgive me. Embolden me to read today’s Book of the Law, the Bible aloud with my family and in my church. I know Your Word the Truth will turn hearts of those who hear it to You as it has throughout history and that is all that matters eternally. Thank You for Your Word and Your love. Amen.
A faithful father fights the good fight of the faith for Truth.
