Ken’s Korner
THE BATTLE FOR SPIRITUAL VICTORY!
“You may have seen the decorative signs that read “Faith, Family, Friends” hanging in people’s houses. Those three words are a beautiful reminder of what our priorities should be, and they stick because of the alliteration. In Paul’s first epistle to Timothy (1 Tim. 6:11-16) he challenges Timothy in three specific ways which also happen to create an alliteration. One that can aid us in our battle FOR SPIRITUAL VICTORY! THAT IS, to enjoy Eternal Life on a daily basis as God desires for us. His three-fold challenge can be summed up in these words: “Flee, Follow, Fight.”
“Flee”: Flee from the desire to get rich, from the love of money, from greediness. Paul does not say money is bad, he simply states that the love of money is harmful to our spiritual journey. No one can serve two masters. Flee from this snare and guard your heart, maintain your first Love!
“Follow”: He was to follow after, or pursue; righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. What I believe Paul is telling his young protégé is that he needed to set his affections on the qualities God desired to develop in his life. To do this he needed to Abide in Christ and in His Word so that the Spirit of God would develop within him the fruit of the Spirit.
“Fight”: Timothy was to fight the good fight. Paul was reminding his spiritual son that the Christian Life is a battle. We battle with the forces of wickedness. (Eph. 6:10-20) We battle with our own fleshly desires. (1 Peter 2:11-12) So don’t grow weary in the battle. But also, don’t become entangled in the affairs of this world for this will distract you from the reality and dangers of the battle. (2 Tim. 2:4)
My dear brothers and sisters, I do pray that each of us will take these three truths and seek to put them into practice so that we will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord! The choices we make each day have an amazing impact on our ability to enjoy God’s gift of Eternal Life today!
