Fight the Good Fight

Over the last few weeks I’ve enjoyed watching the story of the fictional boxer Rocky Balboa. In “Rocky 3” Rocky is the heavy weight champion sitting on top of the world, that is until Clubber Lang knocks him down. Rocky struggles with not only the death of his manager Mickey, but the thought that he was only a paper champion. Filled with self-doubt Rocky said, “Nothing is real if you don’t believe in who you are.”

As Rocky trained for the rematch against Clubber, Apollo Creed told him what he needed was “the eye of the tiger.” Rocky had to rediscover not only the focus, but the hunger and drive to be the champ. Unfortunately Rocky was haunted by his past causing him to be half-hearted in his training. Apollo asked, “Rock, Come on! What’s the matter with you?”

“Tomorrow. Let’s do it tomorrow,” Rocky replies.

Creed screams back, “There is no tomorrow! THERE IS NO TOMORROW! THERE IS NO TOMORROW!”

As believers we to sometime lose our edge and like Rocky just go through the motions. In times like these we find it easy to compromise and give into temptation. In the days in which we live it’s easy for us to withdraw finding comfort and satisfaction in the things money can buy rather than trusting God.

• But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 NLT

The day is coming when for each of us, “There is no tomorrow!” When that day comes will we be fighting the good fight of faith or will we be lukewarm and indifferent like Rocky?

Whether you are haunted by your past or have simply become complacent today is the day of salvation. Purpose to live with your eye on the prize. None of us are promised tomorrow. Seize the moment and pursue Jesus again with first love passion.

Like Rocky strengthen your arms. With one love God wholeheartedly; with the other love others as much as you love yourself. Then on that day Jesus will raise your hand in victory saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”