Fight the Good Fight

God’s word is perfect.  One part of the Bible will never contradict another part.  The Holy Scripture does affirm different truths that on the surface, to our finite reasoning, may appear to contradict one another.  For  example, the Bible teaches that God has sovereignly ordained all that comes to pass, even the sinful actions of individuals; and yet at the same time it holds that people are free agents and responsible for their actions.  The humble believer will accept both of these teachings, on the authority of God’s word. The mystery of how they can both be true, without contradicting each other, must be left with God.  The Bible teaches many things that are beyond the limited capacity of human reasoning. We have to deal with this same kind of mystery when we consider the biblical teaching of the believer’s assurance.  Scripture unquestionably maintains that once a person sincerely accepts the offer of the gospel, the resulting state of salvation can never be lost.  At the same time, God’s word also clearly reveals that in order to reach the kingdom of God, and attain the goal of salvation, the believer must continue in a life of holiness and self-denial.  The Bible categorically and unmistakably teaches from that the Christian must pursue “that holiness without which no one will see the Lord,” in order to obtain eternal life (Hebrews 12:14).  But too often this truth has been the subject of neglect, or outright denial.  When we are not able to deal with the mystery involved, what usually happens is that the doctrine of assurance just cancels out the need for holiness.  That type of response leaves us with a mutilated Bible.  All that it teaches is there by God’s design and is perfectly fitted to accomplish what He intends.  With that said, we will now be able to look at 1 Timothy 6, as remarkable and thought-provoking a passage as exists in all of God’s word.