“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:11-12
How is your soul today? How are you doing spiritually? These are questions that perhaps we hear asked from time to time and we utter niceties like “I’m doing great!” or “All is well!”…but inside, our hearts are screaming just the opposite. Do we struggle to be real, genuine and honest with other fellow, trusted believers? Are we willing to confess that we are still “under construction”? Are we afraid to admit that we haven’t attained the measure of holiness that others seem to project upon us? It is difficult to live up to other people’s expectations of us isn’t it?
Consider what the Apostle Paul writes to his protege Timothy here in the above verses. Paul gets to the heart of the matter. Timothy is warned of certain kinds of teachers, to avoid their trappings and to remain content in the Lord. But Paul goes on to tell Timothy to flee from this sort of thing. In the process of fleeing, he is to pursue some very essential kinds of spiritual disciplines: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness. These disciplines won’t be easy to fulfill all at once as the world spills into his life and the pressures to conform mount day by day.
Does this sound at all familiar to you today? What sort of pressures are you facing from life? Obviously in Timothy’s day these pressures could have very well led to death as Christ-followers were hunted and killed. Paul, while in prison, reminds Timothy to pursue these vital things while continuing to “fight the good fight”.
How goes your battles today? Are you fighting for the right and correct purposes? Remember “the battle belongs to the Lord” (1 Samuel 17:47)! Keep on fighting and where ever you are today, stop and pray to the Lord, who is always ready and willing to listen, support and strengthen you! We are all over-comers if we have declared Christ Lord of our lives and placed His mission above anything else!
Fight on dear brothers and sisters! Don’t grow weary, don’t give up and quit, because we are all appointed to this holy purpose with eternal results. If you have been frustrated as of late, may the Lord provide you with clarity and encouragement! If you have been discouraged and considered your resignation in this fight, reconsider and start by taking inventory of what the Lord has already brought you through and the many blessings He has provided for you along the way.
-Just a word of encouragement to you today from a person who daily seeks His encouragement in my life as well!
“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Shalom!
Pastor's Ponderings 