Pursue

DEVOTION
1 TIMOTHY
PURSUE
1 Tim 6:11-12
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
NIV
So, as a man of God I should flee from all of that eagerness for lots of money, storing it up for some future date. I should be content with godliness for that is great gain as was told me in the preceding verses I dealt with yesterday. Instead of pursuing the things of this world, I should be pursing after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. That is a very aggressive list of traits and or behaviors. It would seem to me that any man of God would want these qualities to be evident in his life. It also seems to me a man of God cannot pursue both money and God, otherwise he would be called a man of God, but a man of money. I would run after the money or flee from such desires and run after God. I cannot do both, I cannot separate my spiritual life from my material life. I cannot compartmentalize my life, living as the world does outside of church, and living as a man of God inside the church. I must be as I ought to be, observing both divine and human laws, being righteous. That is what this word implies. I should also and I believe I do have a reverence for God, not just a form of godliness; I should actually have this kind of godliness. I do not think I lack in faith. I believe I have this deep conviction about his truth, his word, and his statutes. I believe I am a man of faith, trusting in him for everything. Do I have moments where I slip from that faith and experience doubt? I think so, but I recognize those times quickly and fight through back to my faith. I think I could work more, pursue a little harder on this love issue though. Not that I have any hard feelings toward others, but I also don’t think I have enough of that affection, good-will toward all others. I will desire more of this quality in myself, seeking the help of the Spirit in this regard. I do not think I lack much in the endurance part though, I think I am rather steadfast in my convictions regarding God. I believe I have the endurance not to ever give up on God and give in to the world. Having said that does it sound as if I am proud for, in fact, I should be gentle or humble as the Greek word implies. I should have a humble spirit. This is difficult to be aggressive in promoting God and being humble in doing it. How do I promote my books, and be humble about doing it? How do I promote the truths of God in humility? I cannot think more of myself than I ought to, but at the same time I believe God has directed me to spread the truths he is showing me. I think I make it clear it is not me; I have no skills or training in preaching and writing. I am so backwards toward social functions being in crowds. I think I express that it is none of me and all of God. I believe I give him all the credit for everything I am, everything I have and everything I do. Is that being humble? I think so, I hope so. I do know I must flee and I must pursue.