1 Timothy 6:11 (NIV)
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984
In the preceding passage Paul speaks of those who "teach false doctrine", "who think that godliness is a means to financial gain" and "people who want to get rich." He further writes that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." In this small paragraph Paul says a mouthful.
And then in today's study verse, he exhorts Timothy (and by way of extension all who seek to serve The Lord) to "flee from all this". I have a tendency to think of 'fleeing' as a one-time, escape the current temptation type of statement. But in studying this passage, it seems to me that it indicates a more continual and ongoing avoidance or shunning. I believe however that this is just a figurative instruction and the real admonition is to "not get involved in any way." This is sound instruction and needs to be heard and practiced by many in our culture. The line forms behind me.
I say that because the chasing of worldly gain and success is something that I've engaged in for most of my life and even now, in my new life in Christ, I struggle against this ingrained habit. Because of this, I must confront myself in the areas of worry, anxiety, doubt, faithlessness, greed and stewardship. Far better that I could live out this instruction from Paul and just put all this away from me. The chasing of worldly financial success (or more likely excess) is an exercise in capturing the wind.
By way of contrast to this 'negative' exhortation with respect of what to avoid, Paul provides 'positive' teaching or more explicitly lists those things that are to be pursued. He admonishes us to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." Pursuit of these godly characteristics draw us ever closer to God and into a deep and abiding relationship with Him; this is the true goal of the disciple.
Chasing and Pursuing,
Carl
PS: Please forgive the inadequacies of this post and focus on the sufficiency of the text. The original post was lost in transit and I've tried to recreate it to the best of my ability within the time allowed.
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1 comment:
Don't ya jist hate it when your puter eats your work?!!! ... OUCH! ...
But what you entered, Carl reflects a study I did not too long ago and reported to my Connecting Point class Sunday a week ago.
It focused on Paul referring to Timothy as a "man of God," which is one of only two such references in all of the NT. The other is a more generic reference in 2Tim. 3: 17; but it too was written to Timothy by his mentor, Paul.
It's of interest to me that Paul would call his timid, somewhat sickly, mentee a "man of God," because that phrase is used over 70 times in the OT, mostly referring to Prophets or giants of the faith like Moses, Elijah, or David (and others).
It seems apparent to me that Paul was trying to build up and encourage Timothy by saying to him that God could use him as a "man of God" if he avoided selfishness and walked in righteousness.
In my devotional today, as God's timing would have it, a widow refers to Elijah (see 1st Kings 17: 24) as a "man of God;" and you can read in my http:elderberry.blogspot.com/ entry for today. I note from self inventory that it's going to take some serious discipline for any of us to live up to such a monicker as "man of God."
Heading in that direction; ... but a long way to go! ... <'BB><
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