Verse of the Day 10/28

1 Timothy 6:11-12 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. ¹² 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.   English Standard Version (ESV)

The heading of this passage in my ESV study Bible says "fight the good fight of faith".  The things that we are to flee are pointed out in verse 10, the love of money and all of  the  "evils" associated with it.  You wouldn't think that the first command in fighting would be to flee, but it is about walking away from or running from those things that would drag us down and actually prevent us from getting into the battle.

The "fight" involves, first of all, taking hold of eternal life, grasping the salvation that we have in Christ, accepting it and growing in it.  Once again, it involves putting on that  spiritual armor outlined in Ephesians 6.  It involves pursuing , righteousness -  those things that put us in right standing before God, not being self righteous, but right in God's eyes which will involve godly living, exhibiting faith and love.  Steadfastness involves holding on in trying circumstances, in the trials of life.  Love and gentleness round out the character traits that Paul outlines for Timothy and for us.

The fight also involves encouraging and challenging others do the  same - flee and pursue, as we see later in the chapter, as The Message puts in modern language:

1 Timothy 6:18-19 Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.   The Message (MSG)

How may we be "extravagantly generous" with our time and our possessions?  Read the passage from The Message below, may it inspire you today to live a life of "wonder, faith, love, steadiness and courtesy." (v.11 The Message).

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

1 Timothy 6:10-16The Message (MSG)

^9-10 But if it's only money these leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.

Running Hard

^11-12 But you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.

^13-16 I'm charging you before the life-giving God and before Christ, who took his stand before Pontius Pilate and didn't give an inch: Keep this command to the letter, and don't slack off. Our Master, Jesus Christ, is on his way. He'll show up right on time, his arrival guaranteed by the Blessed and Undisputed Ruler, High King, High God. He's the only one death can't touch, his light so bright no one can get close. He's never been seen by human eyes—human eyes can't take him in! Honor to him, and eternal rule! Oh, yes.