Fields United Methodist Church

Jesus Along the Way: Words of Hope and Grace.                        Pastor Tom Joyce

October 1, 2020

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only me but also all who have longed for his appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:7-8

From the time I was a child I was taught fighting is not the best thing to do; violence never solves problems. A “good” fight in Bible speak is all about living in the love of Jesus Christ, bearing one another’s burdens, while loving God and neighbor. As with any fight, there are wins and losses, setbacks and hurdles, yet fighting the good fight of faith is all about getting back up and continuing along the journey with conviction that a loving God is offering everything that is needed to finish this thing called life unstained by an ever-changing world. God knows life can be hard, and if we are not careful, we can easily lose our way. The good news is that you have an advocate in Jesus Christ, to lift you back up on your feet and offer you the strength to continue “the race” despite the challenges along the way. The season of pandemic has been for some a stretching of faith, and for others it has been a leap of faith, bounding forward with nothing more than faith in Jesus guiding our every step. The good fight of faith is being fully confident and aware of Jesus being firmly in control and in the midst of the day to day there is full reliance on the grace and power of Jesus Christ. As with any “fight,” there are ups and downs with uncertainty along the way; sometimes the “fight” leads us down the wrong path of sin. But to the one who fights the good fight of faith, finishes the race, and keeps the faith there is forgiveness, new life, transformed life, and eternal life. Someone who witnesses undying faith, even in the midst of death, strength, even in the midst of weakness, and hope even in the midst of perceived hopelessness is one who is fighting the good fight of faith, and will be welcomed home as one who has “fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.”

Rev. Tom Joyce