LONGSHOT

• 1 Timothy 6:11-12

11.) But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 

12.) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 

Today, we live in a world captivated with self gratification, greed, selfishness, envy, corruption, hatred, immorality, etc. It’s so easy for non-believers, and believers as well, to get caught up in the things this world has to offer. Without spending intentional time daily in your own personal walk with Christ, it’s incredibly easy to fall into these things that the world offers you, sometimes without even realizing it. We can see that the scripture tells us that we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. So many people today live out their daily lives chasing new jobs, more money, nicer cars, and bigger homes, all without realizing they are chasing things that add zero value to their eternity. 

We are placed on earth by God for a specific purpose. There is nothing wrong with wanting nice things and working hard for them, but devoting all of your time, energy, and resources to chasing worldly desires and objects will not fulfill you. In fact,  most of the time, chasing things that this world has to offer comes at the price of exhaustion, un-fulfillment, anxiety, depression, etc. Christ blessed us with the privilege to live on earth at the specific time He wanted us to, to spread the gospel, be representatives of the kingdom, and be living examples of Himself. 

We see in 1 Timothy 6:11-12 Paul calls Timothy a “man of God.” This term is only found twice in the entire New Testament. Paul is directing Timothy to flee worldly desires/temptations and to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. The more you devote yourself to developing a true, personal relationship with our Savior, the more you’ll realize these things are immeasurably more valuable to your life than the things offered by the world. When we start to experience the things that Paul listed above, it’s incredible how the Holy Spirit starts to work in us and through us, and allows us to feel the fulfillment in our lives that only Christ can produce. Nothing this world has to offer you will bring you ultimate peace and fulfillment. No amount of alcohol, drugs, sexual promiscuity, overtime, new gym PR’s, or faster cars will have the possiblity to truly heal/fulfill you as Christ does. Nothing in this world can heal us from the damage that the world caused in the first place. No where in life can you be healed by the same thing that hurt you. As Christians, we should devote our lives to being the “Men/Women of God” that Paul describes in this text instead of continually chasing after our own worldly and fleshly desires. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, we come to you as always with thanksgiving for the opportunity, blessing, and privilege it is to worship and spend time with You. We thank you for faithfully guiding us with Your Word through these trying times. We pray that you’ll search our hearts, minds, and souls and that you’ll allow your light to outshine the darkness of the world we harbor within us. Guide us and give us the strength needed to pursue what you call us to pursue, and to realize the things of this world come and go, but You and Your word are forever and ever. Amen.