THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Timothy 4-6
“Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” (1 Timothy 6:11)
If life is the pursuit of… something, what is my life is the pursuit of?
Comfort, riches, pleasure, power, reputation, good looks, success, revenge?
Everyone will have their own variation on what their goal looks like.
Paul is urging Timothy to pursue God and His agenda, to be a ‘man of God’.
People think they are pursuing happiness, and end up in misery.
They pursue foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. (6:9)
Who pursues righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance or gentleness?
This is the full life, the life we were made for. the happy life.
If everyone pursued this, our world would be the ‘heaven’ we all desire.
Paul describes the pursuit of the Jesus life in Timothy’s setting, in Ephesus.
What would he write if he urged you to pursue the Jesus life in your context?
At work or home, in our opportunities and challenges – this is daily discipleship.
The Spirit is prompting me to pursue these qualities today, in my own ‘Ephesus’.
Is this the life you are pursuing, the happiness you are seeking?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see that the ONLY way to happiness is to pursue You and Your righteousness!
How then shall we live?
I continue to remember the words of Joshua speaking to the people of Israel – but as for me and my household, we will serve the living God. He is my Hope and provides all that I need. Help me this day Lord to live for Jesus.
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.
2
Living for Jesus who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
3
Living for Jesus wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
4
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.