Thought provoking and challenging ancient and very ancient prayers by believers in the Creator of creation are here.

"Fight the good fight of faith." (1 Timothy 6:12)

It is a curious fact that there is no subject about which most people feel such deep interest as fighting. Young men and maidens, old men and little children, high and low, rich and poor, learned and unlearned, all feel a deep interest in wars, battles and fighting.

 

A simple inscrutable fact presents itself to us, we are excited when we hear stories of war. . . . But there is another warfare of far greater importance than any war that was ever waged by man. It is a warfare which concerns not two or three nations only, but every Christian man and woman born into the world. The warfare I speak of is the spiritual warfare. It is the fight which everyone who would be saved must fight about his soul.

This warfare, I am aware, is a thing of which many know nothing. Talk to them about it, and they are ready to set you down as a madman, an enthusiast or a fool.

And yet it is as real and true as any war the world has ever seen. It has its hand–to–hand conflicts and its wounds. It has its watchings and fatigues. It has its sieges and assaults. It has its victories and its defeats.

Above all, it has consequences which are awful, tremendous and most peculiar. In earthly warfare the consequences to nations are often temporary and remediable. In the spiritual warfare it is very different. Of that warfare, the consequences, when the fight is over, are unchangeable and eternal.

It is of this warfare that St. Paul spoke to Timothy, when he wrote those burning words, "Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life." It is of this warfare that I propose to speak in this message. . . . He who would understand the nature of true holiness must know that the Christian is "a man of war." If we would be holy, we must fight. J.C. Ryle (1812-1900)

Would you like to compare your understanding of the Christian world-view with that of an early Reformer? Check out Martin Luther's basic Christian instruction, or try John Calvin's more advanced course

This month's featured Classic Author is J. Gresham Machen. See annotated links to his works here.

For insight into the cost of discipleship, see The Arena; or cruise over to Be Strong or Stand Firm.