11 But you, man of God, flee from all this (RUN FOR YOUR LIFE MSG), and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (Humility, Courtesy not so common today) 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, 1 Timothy 6 NIV
But you, the man of God, keep clear of such things. Set your heart not on riches, but on goodness, Christ-likeness, faith, love, patience and humility. Fight the WORTHWHILE BATTLE OF THE FAITH, KEEP YOUR GRIP ON LIFE ETERNAL TO WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED, 1 Timothy 6, PHILLIPS
Paul’s final charge to Timothy; some solemn words to a young ‘man of God’ and many of them were verbs, things he had to do!
FLEE THE WRONG AND PURSUE THE GOOD (BOTH Needed) FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH, TAKE HOLD OF/FIRM GRIP ON ETERNAL LIFE (Still necessary even though Timothy and we have been called to it).
Paul goes on with a solemn charge to Timothy;
13 In the sight of God, (We’re fooling ourselves if we believe God doesn’t see everything – He does) who gives life to everything, (God is the source of All Life) and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,
(Christ’s confession, referred to by Paul, when He told Pilate, the representative of the ruling Roman Authority, who He was.
36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. (Someday it will once again include this world!) If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders.But now my kingdom is from another place.”
37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. EVERYONE ON THE SIDE OF TRUTH LISTENS TO ME.” John 18)
13 In the sight of God, … I CHARGE YOU 14 TO KEEP THIS COMMAND WITHOUT SPOT OR BLAME UNTIL the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time – God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might for ever. Amen.
Paul charges Timothy to keep his COMMAND, not a suggestion, until the coming of Christ again which will be according to the Father’s will. His words carry gravitas to the younger apostle and the many others who would follow him.
24 “‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6