2 Timothy 4:7

2 Timothy 4:7

I. Look at the Christian life under the aspect of a fight. In a sense, this aspect of life is not peculiar to that of the Christian. Indeed, I dare to say, that, so far from the followers of the world being exempt from toil and hardship, it would not take a man half the care and time and trouble to get to heaven, which it takes any man to get rich, and many a man to get to hell. The question, therefore, is not whether we shall fight, but what for, and on whose side on that of Jesus, whose award is life, or on that of sin, whose wages is death. Now, with regard to the Christian's fight, I remark (1) He has to fight against the world, (2) He has to fight against Satan.

II. The character of the Christian's fight. It is a good fight. (1) Because it is in a good cause. Your enemies are not of your kindred, bone of your bone, flesh of your flesh; they are the enemies of God and Christ, of virtue and liberty, of light and peace, of your children, and of your race, of your bodies and of your souls; tyrants that would bind you in chains worse than iron, and burn, not your house above your head, but yourself in hell for ever. (2) Because here victory is unmingled joy. It is not so in other fights. The laurels that are won where groans of suffering mingle with the shouts of battle are steeped in tears; and when cannon roar, and bells ring out a victory, and shouting crowds throng the streets, and illuminations turn night into day, dark is many a home where fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, widows and orphans, weep for the brave who shall never return. There are thorns in victory's proudest crown. He, whom men called the Iron Duke, is reported to have said that there was nothing so dreadful as a battle won, except a battle lost. Thank God, our joy over sins slain, bad passions subdued, Satan defeated, has to suffer no such abatements.

T. Guthrie, Speaking to the Heart,p. 127.

References: 2 Timothy 4:7. P. Brooks, Sermons,p. 57. 2 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:8. Christian World Pulpit,vol. vii., p. 305; P. Davies, Ibid.,vol. xxvii., p. 35. 2 Timothy 4:8. Spurgeon, Morning by Morning,p. 10; H. P. Liddon, Advent Sermons,vol. ii., p. 82; J. Vaughan, Sermons,12th series, p. 181. 2 Timothy 4:9. Homilist,3rd series, vol. ix., p. 287.