Run from & toward
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In chapter 6 we find an interesting contrast concerning the "man of God"...
He is told to "flee" (Grk., pheugo)He is told to "pursue" (Grk., dioko)
In the Grk. NT, these two words are next to each other, highlighting the contrast between them
broadway and narrow
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
So while one is fleeing from some things, he should be pursing other things...
Are we fleeing those things from which we ought to flee?Are we pursing those things we need to pursue?
[Ask yourself these questions as we consider "Fleeing In Full Pursuit".
First, there are...]
THINGS TO FLEE
DOCTRINAL ERROR...
Contrary to the words of our Lord and the doctrine according to godliness
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
Especially any error related to:
The practice of fornication ("flee sexual immorality") - 1Co 6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
The practice of idolatry ("flee from idolatry") - 1Co 10:14
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
This implies that we must learn the truth - how can we flee from an unknown enemy?
DISPUTES AND ARGUMENTS OVER WORDS...
What might be described as "word battles" - 1Ti 6:4-5
Some people become obsessed with such things They love to argue religion, just for the sake of arguing! The outcome of such discussions are often:
envy - the ill will one has when bested by an opponent
strife - the condition that exists while argument is being discussed and people refuse to admit defeat
reviling - abusive language (e.g., slander, scorn) regarding the opposition
evil suspicions - mistrust, suspecting and impugning another's motives
Where discussions become "useless wranglings"
By men "of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth"
They can't think straight
They don't even know what is really true
By men who think "godliness is a means of gain"
Some think such arguing will make them famous
Others think it will give them power, position, even wealth
Timothy was told to stay away from such "wranglers"! - 1 Ti 6:5; 2Ti 2:14-16,23
DESIRE FOR WEALTH...
Godliness with contentment is the great gain - 1Ti 6:6-8
"You can't take it with you"
Food and shelter are the only true "necessities"
Contentment is a grace to be learned - cf. Php 4:11-13
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Those who "desire to be rich" endanger themselves - 1Ti 6:9
They fall into temptation and a snareThey fall into foolish and harmful lusts which drown them in destruction and perditionThe love of money is a root of all kinds of evil - 1Ti 6:10
Some have strayed from the faith in their greediness
They found not happiness, but much sorrow!
[Such things we are to "flee" (1Ti 6:11). Are we fleeing from them, or flirting with them? It helps to flee when we are in full pursuit of certain things...]
THINGS TO PURSUE
RIGHTEOUSNESS...
The quality of being right, and doing right, in the sight of GodThe righteousness we seek is that found in Christ, and Paul illustrates the "pursuit" one should have for it - cf. Php 3:7-14
phil 3.7-14
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
GODLINESS...
This can be defined as "devotion to God which results in a life that pleases Him"I.e., one who is godly displays a truly pious conduct
This godliness requires effort or exercise on our part - cf. 1Ti 4:7
But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
The pursuit of godliness is well worth it, according to Paul - 1Ti 4:8
FAITH...
Faith in its subjective sense, "active reliance on God and His promises" - Hendriksen
Such reliance comes from the Word of God - Ro 10:17
At times, we must battle to maintain this reliance - 1Ti 6:12
There is the danger of developing a heart of unbelief, which is why we must always be in pursuit of faith - cf. He 3:12-15
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
LOVE...
We are to love God, brethren, even enemies - Mt 22:36-40; 5:44
This love is from the Grk. agape, "active good will"It involves a decision of the will, not the heartSuch love does not come naturally, we must be taught it - e.g., 1Th 4:9; 3:12
But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
Thus it is something we must pursue, or we will not have it!
PATIENCE...
Steadfastness, "the grace to bear up under adversities" - Hendriksen
Especially in times of persecution, discouragement, hard times"Endurance" would be another word - e.g., Jesus, He 12:1-4
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
GENTLENESS...
This word is akin to "patience", but with respect to people rather than circumstancesIt affects how we treat others, even those with whom we differ - cf. 2Ti 2:24-25Where the virtues of righteousness, godliness, faith, love and patience are present, the virtue of gentleness naturally follows
CONCLUSION
These things to flee and things to pursue were important to Paul...
He not only warned Timothy in this passageHe warned Timothy again in another epistle - 2Ti 2:22-23
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
Perhaps because there is something in human nature...
To pursue things we ought to be fleeing
To flee things we ought to be pursuing
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Hopefully these words of the apostle will serve us well...
To keep us on the right track
To motivate us to be more diligent about moving in the right direction
Are we "Fleeing In Full Pursuit", fleeing that which is wrong, pursuing that which is right...?
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
The mystery of loving Godliness more than possessions is found in the pursuit of Jesus himself.
Acknowledge that it is sin for God’s people to pursue their joy in money.
See that God hates it.
Understand that Jesus offers grace to any that would choose him over the possessions this world promises will bring happiness.