Paul’s first Epistle to Timothy, his true son in the faith (1 Tim 1:2) is a personal letter of fatherly advice to a beloved child and pastoral instructions to a young Christian leader. In Chapter 6, Paul illustrates the qualities that define a man of God. In describing the marks of a man of God, Paul use some very powerful verbs such as flee, pursue, fight and hold tight - each of which bears great significance in our Christian life. 

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1. Flee from Sin (1 Tim 6:11a): ‘Flee’ is a compelling verb that gives the imagery of a man running for dear life from an enemy attack. Used in the continuous tense, fleeing is a persistent action that we need to adopt. What as we asked to run away from? We are to flee from false teachings (Vs 4), desire for wealth (1 Tim 6:9), youthful lust (2 Tim 2:22), fornication (1 Cor. 6:18), idolatry (1 Cor. 10:14) and all evil that separates us from God. Living in a technologically advanced world where everything is a just click away, if we do not flee from sin it will run us over. “…sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." (Genesis 4:7)
    

2. Pursue Righteousness, Godliness, Faith, Love, Patience, Gentleness (1 Tim 6:11b): We are asked to run away from sin and to run after Christ-likeness. “The Lord … loves those who pursue righteousness.” (Proverbs 15:9) Each of these traits enables us to evaluate our life in Christ. We should seek after and follow God in righteousness (1 John 2:29) and holiness (1 Peter 1:15). Exercise unwavering faith in God, no matter what the physical circumstances (Hebrews 11:1). Love should be both vertical and horizontal – to God and man. Patience gives us strength to endure the struggles and tribulations and humility allows us to submit to God’s will. 
    

3. Fight the Good Fight of Faith (1 Tim 6:12a): There is a battle in every Christian’s life – a battle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). The question we need to ask ourselves is where we stand in this battle?  Every provision to fight this fight has already been given to us – the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17). We are required to put on the armor and fight the fight of faith. When the time comes, will we also confidently say “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7).
    

4. Lay Hold of Eternal Life (1 Tim 6:12b): When we confessed Christ as Lord over our lives, God in his great mercy, graciously imparted the gift of eternal life to us (Ephesians 2:4-10). We are to take hold of that which Christ Jesus has laid hold of us (Philippians 3:2). Eternal life is the future reward that is awaiting every believer who has been fighting the good fight. Let us not through lax ways, loose hold of this reward, but rather let us hold tight this future reward that has been given to us. 

Each of these qualities is a continuous progress in our Christian journey.  Submitting to the will of God, let us walk each day as men and women of God.  

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Prayer: 
Beloved Father, give me strength each day to follow Christ

in the every way, that I may reflect the image of Your Son

in all areas of my life. In Jesus’ name.

Amen