Who Is Your Faith Mentor????
As Paul nears the end of his journey, he gives a final charge to his protege Timothy. Timothy had been his faithful companion, even risking himself for the sake of the Gospel. Here is what he has to say about him in Philippians 2,
"I hope in The Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel."
Paul had mentored him with the words, "imitate me as I imitate Christ!" Paul knew he wasn't perfect, just as he knew Timothy wasn't perfect. But he saw in Timothy an ability to die to his own interests to serve others in Jesus name. In this final charge, Paul realizes that there will be false teachers that try to pervert the Gospel to serve their own interest. Some are already saying godliness is a way to financial prosperity. But Paul says, "Don't get caught in all of this, because you are a man of God." Men of God flee from all this and pursue godliness, faith, love and endurance. Paul realizes it won't be easy for Timothy, just as it wasn't easy for him so he says, "fight the good fight of faith!"
I believe we all need a Paul and a Timothy in our lives. We need someone who is a good model of Jesus leading and guiding us, and helping us from getting distracted from the world's vanities. We need someone to remind us of where our true focus should be, not on earthy rewards, but the reward in heaven. We also need a Timothy to mentor. We need to be pouring our lives into the next generation of leaders who will lead our church, if Jesus does not return.
So a question for you man or woman of God? What is it in your life you need to flee from? What is it that tempts you to run after things that will have little or no significance in the next life? Finally, do have a Paul or Timothy in your life????
1 Timothy 6:11-12
Final Charge to Timothy
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
"I hope in The Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel."
Paul had mentored him with the words, "imitate me as I imitate Christ!" Paul knew he wasn't perfect, just as he knew Timothy wasn't perfect. But he saw in Timothy an ability to die to his own interests to serve others in Jesus name. In this final charge, Paul realizes that there will be false teachers that try to pervert the Gospel to serve their own interest. Some are already saying godliness is a way to financial prosperity. But Paul says, "Don't get caught in all of this, because you are a man of God." Men of God flee from all this and pursue godliness, faith, love and endurance. Paul realizes it won't be easy for Timothy, just as it wasn't easy for him so he says, "fight the good fight of faith!"
I believe we all need a Paul and a Timothy in our lives. We need someone who is a good model of Jesus leading and guiding us, and helping us from getting distracted from the world's vanities. We need someone to remind us of where our true focus should be, not on earthy rewards, but the reward in heaven. We also need a Timothy to mentor. We need to be pouring our lives into the next generation of leaders who will lead our church, if Jesus does not return.
So a question for you man or woman of God? What is it in your life you need to flee from? What is it that tempts you to run after things that will have little or no significance in the next life? Finally, do have a Paul or Timothy in your life????
1 Timothy 6:11-12
Final Charge to Timothy
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
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