Fight on for God. Hold tightly to the eternal life that God has given you and that you have confessed with such a ringing confession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12. TLB
Historically, when navies were engaged in combat and one side had reached the point of surrender, the common practice was to concede defeat by lowering the ship’s flag (“the colors”).
But sometimes the ship’s crew were determined to never surrender, to fight to the last man. They would signify this resolve by “nailing the colors to the mast,” removing all options of the flag being lowered. The battle would be fought and won, or all on board would die in the attempt.
British missionary C. T. Studd (1860-1931) used this word picture in urging believers to commit themselves unreservedly to the call of Christ, no matter how difficult the work or what obstacles might be encountered: “Nail the colors to the mast! That is the right thing to do, and therefore, that is what we must do, and do it now. What colors? The colors of Christ, the work He has given us to do. Christ wants not nibblers of the possible but grabbers of the impossible, by faith in the omnipotence, fidelity, and wisdom of the Almighty Savior.“
As believers in Jesus Christ in a post-Christian world, against all opposition and unpopularity, we must “nail the colors to the mast,” declaring our loyalty to God and His Word, reaffirming our wholehearted commitment to live for His glory and fulfill His calling. No turning back.
So What Now 2 Do? Here is the question: Are there areas of reservation or resistance in your life that might be headed off by this kind of commitment?
Go forth.
Adapted from /The Quiet Place/, a daily devotional by Nancy Leigh DeMoss