But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV)
Flee And Pursue
Are you ready to fight the good fight of faith? Yes, I am. I will fight with all the strength that you give to me. Great, I’m glad to hear that. Now run! Run? Yes, I said, “run” and run as fast as you can. Run, that doesn’t sound at all like fighting. Oh, did you think that you would stand around and do battle with evil and ungodliness? Yes, I did. That’s not a strategy that has worked very well for you. Why is that? Why do you want me to run away from evil? You tell me. I’m not sure that I know why. Have you ever been attracted to evil? Have you ever enjoyed doing evil? I have to say yes to both your questions. So, do you know for sure that you will actually fight evil if you hang around to check it out? No, I don’t. Are you positive that you would be able to overcome evil if you stayed for the fight? No, I’m not positive. When I have made a way of escape from evil for you when has that way opened up? Your way of escape from evil has always come immediately. Hanging around evil has never led to a good result for me. That’s right, so run! I’m out of here right now! That’s Good.
Do you know where you are running? Do you know what to pursue? Aren’t I just supposed to run away? Isn’t one place just as good as another? What do you think? I suppose not. I might run into more evil. Yes, that’s right. You are fleeing evil. Yes, that’s right. What do I want you to pursue? You want me to pursue godliness and righteousness. Yes, I do. You will never be able to fight the good fight of faith and take hold of the eternal life that you have in me by simply fleeing evil alone. You must pursue me and the godly and righteous life that I have given you to live. That is the way that I have called you to live. Fleeing evil and pursuing me is what I have called you to do. Do these two directions seem clear enough to you? Yes, they are crystal clear.
What will you be doing as you flee evil and pursue godliness? Beyond fighting the good fight of faith and taking hold of the salvation that I have in you? Yes, beyond that. I’m not sure. Will anyone be watching you? You will be watching me. Yes I will be watching you. Will anyone else be watching you? The world will be watching me. Yes, that’s right. Now, do you have the answer to my question? Yes, I do. Let me hear your answer. When I flee evil and pursue righteousness I will be living as your witness in the world. Yes, you will. People will notice how I live and some of them will be drawn to you through the testimony of my life. Yes, they will.
Lord, help me to fight the good fight of faith. Help me to take hold of the eternal life that I have in you. I will flee ungodliness and pursue the righteous life you have given me to live. Help me to live as your witness in the world. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide click here:
Life – 1 Timothy 6-11-12 – Take Hold – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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