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. 13) I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnesses the good confession before Pontius Pilate, (14)that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, (15)which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, (16)who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen
Timothy was left by the Apostle Paul as pastor of the Christian church Paul founded at Ephesus. Paul wrote this pastoral letter to Timothy when his (Paul’s) return was delayed. Paul addresses numerous problems – doctrinal and disciplinary problems – in the ancient church and his advice and direction to Timothy is timeless and relevant to the church of Christ today.
Paul also addressed the theological values at the heart of the gospel – salvation is through God’s grace rather than our own good works and we must accept God’s gift – we must lay hold of it. In Chapter 6 that we study today, Paul is telling Timothy how to finish the race of this life – to go the distance. Living a life of Godliness is not easy over the long haul. When we are born again and confess Jesus Christ as our savior we begin our apprenticeship as Christians. We spend the rest of our lives becoming what and who we are. The best example I can think of comes from Stuart Briscoe who married and was declared a husband. He is spending the rest of his life becoming what he is. So also we claim to be born again but where is the evidence? Life is not a sprint but a marathon and we must exercise disclipline and patience and prayer to finish well for there is a dreadful attrition rate.
Interestingly, Paul is urging Timothy to flee and not fight in chapter 6, verse 6. Here Paul is specifically referring to fleeing love of money and false doctrine – fleeing worldliness and pleasures of the flesh – living a self centered life; acquiring things and outward status rather than pursue a godly character.
The Apostle Paul is not just advocating running away but also pursuing – eagerly going after – righteousness or conformity to God’s word; trust in Christ as our savior. Having been justified by faith in Christ, the Christian must pursue a life of righteousness and diligently pursue Godliness: reverence, awe, dependability, trust in God, love (it’s easy to love someone who is loveable but not so easy when they are not loveable), steadfastness, discipline, gentleness, kindness.
The Church has faced repeated heresies and here Paul is clarifying the truth. This is important because some may declare unity, love and tolerance as the chief Christian virtues and put it to us as false pride if we denounce them. However, Paul believed in confrontation to defend and clarify the truth of the gospel. Paul did not believe in compromise. This is excellent to ponder in our lives today.