As people of God, we need to
keep our eyes on eternity. Even though we live in the here and now, our
eyes are on the hereafter.
Ephesians 6:11-12 “Put
on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic
powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of
evil in the heavenly places.”
This week, Michael writes
that in the books of Timothy, it is pointed out that men and women of this
world are naturally opposed to the things of righteousness. Many harmful
desires plunge us into destruction and depravity through the sin nature of the
flesh. The battle between light and darkness rages on within our soul. Charles
Spurgeon said that we are the result of a siege that God waged against the
fortress of our worldly hearts of sinful flesh. He has broken down the
walls and led captivity captive.
Jesus Christ is the "Good
Shepherd" who continuously pursues us. In 2 Timothy, the Apostle Paul
knew that he was approaching the end of his ministry and this earthly life. He
reminded Timothy of the sins of our fallen nature that we inherited from Adam
in original sin. To turn from sin Paul exhorts his readers to turn instead
to righteousness. Because we have been created a new man and new woman in
Christ Jesus, Paul said to flee from sin and to pursue righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 But
understand this, that in the last days there will come times of
difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of
money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents,
ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without
self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with
conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the
appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Paul didn't say to convert
these evil men. Rather he said turn away from and avoid them; To flee
from them, and instead pursue six things: In verse 11, as a "man or woman of
God," he says to pursue godliness: “But
thou, O people of God, flee these things; and follow after (1) righteousness, (2)
godliness, (3) faith, (4) love, (5) patience, (6) meekness.”
Godliness is living life
according to righteousness in the presence of God. The Bible says that the love of God keeps no record of wrongs
done. God doesn't build up a resentment bank. To approach our loving
Heavenly Father, we must approach Him with a heart of love and grace.
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