1 Timothy 6:11 “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”
As we live out our new life in Christ, living as a Christian should live, there are things to RUN AWAY FROM (FLEE these things) and things to RUN AFTER (PURSUE these things). Unfortunately, we often find ourselves RUNNING AFTER what we should be RUNNING AWAY from AND we RUN AWAY FROM what we should be pursuing or RUNNING AFTER. From our verse to consider let us make sure we are RUNNING AWAY FROM THE WRONG THINGS and RUNNING AFTER THE RIGHT THINGS.
Here in 1 Timothy 6:11, the Apostle Paul tells Timothy to “FLEE these things.” A great way to understand the word “FLEE” is to think of being a FUGITIVE. “These things” that he is to be fleeing, being a fugitive, are greed and the love of money (See v 10).
Rather than living to GET ALL ONE CAN GET, the believer is to be PURSUING becoming ALL THEY CAN BE.
The Apostle Paul liked to call believers to live out key character traits. (See the bonus section) He wants to see the believer living RIGHTEOUSLY or living right. Can someone say you are RIGHTEOUS in your actions and activities? He wants the believer to be GODLY. Are you a godly person? He wants the believer to be living by FAITH. Do you walk by sight or walk by faith? Is your daily trust in God evident to others? He wants the believer to be a person who LOVES, loving others. Do you love others? He wants the believer to be a person of PATIENCE or ENDURANCE. In other words, you stay in the game no matter how hard it is. There is no quit in you. And he wants the believer to be a person of GENTLENESS or meekness. This means you handle people with care. These are the things to be RUNNING AFTER!
This list of things to pursue is not new for Paul or Timothy. Earlier in this first letter to Timothy, Paul wrote for him to be an example. I Timothy 4:12 says, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” For Timothy to be the example, he must determine what he will run away from and what he will run after.
What are you running away from? What are you seeking to avoid? What are you staying clear of? What are you FLEEING?
What are you running after? What are you PURSUING?
The answer to these two questions in so many ways will determine your future destiny. Choose wisely!!
Here are a few other LISTS to consider regarding what to RUN AWAY FROM and to RUN AFTER:
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 3:10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions,
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentlenesses, self-control. Against such, there is no law.
2 Peter 1:5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Continue Strong Running After the Right Things and Running Away From the Wrong Things,
And remember to DATE the Word