1 Timothy 6:11-12 (11.07.24)

1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIVUK)
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.

The ‘this’ of the opening sentence looks back to the previous paragraphs which describe the lure of chasing after wealth and the danger of gossip, quarrels and malicious talk. These activities are just as obvious and dangerous now as they were then, both in the public arena and our experience of daily life. We’re called to be alert to their danger and to avoid them at all costs – not only do they cause harm, but they also distract us from our main aim of loving God and our neighbours rather than promoting our ourselves. This passage uses military language. We’re called to be disciplined soldiers, striving to take our objective – not taking ground, but eternal life.

Father, help us to be faithful in our service, focused on the task you have given us, and diligent in avoiding the things that would distract us from it.