Flee and Pursue (1 Tim. 6:11)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 6-27-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Flee & pursue

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference: 1Timothy 6:11

            Message of the verse:  “But you, O Man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”  Paul tells Timothy to separate himself from the types of sins that he just has mentioned in the previous verses, sins like the love of money, and the sin of false teachings.  Paul calls Timothy a man of God, and from what I have read this is the only time this is used in the New Testament.  It was used in the Old Testament to speak of a number of men, including Moses, Samuel, and David, so Timothy was in good company.  He also tells Timothy to pursue a number of qualities that he mentions in the remainder of this verse.  1.  Righteousness means in this case personal integrity.  2.  Godliness is speaking of practical piety.  The first refers to character, while the second refers to conduct.  3.  Faith or faithfulness and speaks of being faithful.  4.  Love is the agape love that is used of the kind of love that God has, it sacrifices for the sake of others.  5.  Patience is speaking also of the idea of endurance, sticking to it.  6.  Gentleness or meekness, which is not weakness, it is power under control.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  This is certainly a tall order of qualities that Paul has written to Timothy about, and I would no doubt love to have these qualities abound in my life each and every day.  These are fruit of the Spirit and He is the one who will develop them in my life as I pursue them by studying about them, memorizing Scripture about them, and meditate on them, and making them such a part of my life that when the time comes to use them I will do so by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

The Word of God was powerful and meaningful to me today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I would like to think that I can make these qualities a part of my life, but I most assuredly need to power of the Spirit in my life to do this.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Romans 5:20,21, & 1Timothy 6:6

 

Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.