1Ti 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” Let us begin with the first phrase, “Fight the good fight” which literally means “agonizing a good agony.” Living godly is a struggle. Yet, one who agonizes well, lives God honoring in and through the battle while under tremendous stress and pressure. It is not simply getting through it (which you will), but it is getting through it honorably. How does one live honorably while under great stress and pressure? God always provides the answer if one keeps reading. Notice the next phrase, “lay hold on eternal life.” In others words do not wait to enjoy the hope of living in heaven, but enjoy the hope of living eternal now, today. The key is to live eternal life today as God’s child. Turn from fleshly life and seeking to please self. We should rather live the life being owned of God. Too many believers lay hold of fleshly entertainment living and not eternal, God glorifying living. One sign (among many) of living in the flesh is always looking to the future (can’t wait for Friday), rather than an insistence in the present to honor Christ and enjoy life as we work for Him in all that we do.
The next phrase tells us “whereunto though are also called.” Two important truths here:
1) “Calling” coveys it is not really an option. Falling short of one’s calling is to miss out on life now and in the future upon earth. It is not missing eternal life, but missing out on the special honor of blessing in our eternal life to come, which one shall have.
2) Calling also conveys one’s very purpose of life. There is no greater joy and hope (contentment with honor) in life than to fulfill one’s divine, ordained purpose (destination) joyfully.
In so doing the rest of verse falls into play naturally and normally, “and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” Wow! What a grand life in Christ to live as one agonizes honorably a good agony for Christ!