Apostle Paul writes this letter to his spiritual son, Timothy, who he addresses as “my true child in the faith” (1Tim.1:2). In this letter, he also deals with many areas of our daily Christian life. Paul knew Timothy very well and often stated it in his letters; here he refers to Timothy as a man of God. This is the same word which was used to address Moses, David, Elijah and Elisha in the Old Testament. The same testimony obtained by Timothy from Paul as “man of God,” we too can receive if we keep an intimate relationship with God.

Paul warns Timothy: “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” (1Tim.6:11) The Holy Spirit warns every servant of God in all the areas regarding the dangers of greed and instructs all to flee these things—not only flee but also pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ‘Pursue’ means press toward or continual following of one thing and enduring it. In our daily Christian walk, each one of the above instructions shall be required of us to pursue to reach the destination God has assigned.

Our key verse states two main aspects of the Christian life:

• Fight the good fight of faith: - We have often received promises from the Lord but within no time we forget and complain to Lord about not fulfilling them. If we look closely into our lives, it hasn’t come to pass not because His hands are shortened, but our unbelief. The Israelites standing in midst of the Red Sea with the army in pursuit were greatly afraid. In our lives too, we may face such tough situations but let us remember that the Creator of the universe had already made a pathway in the Red Sea! Even before He formed us, He knows the path we will take! Marvellous are His ways! Trust Him and fight the good fight as Abraham did- “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God…” (Rom.4:20)

• Take hold of the eternal life:-  Hold on, seize or win are the words used for “take hold.” Here Paul emphasizes - Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called or each one of us is called. Eternal life is the promise of God which we receive through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:18). Salvation, redemption and the blessings— all of these we freely receive through Jesus Christ! In the Old Testament, promises about the coming of the Messiah were clearly stated; yet after the long waiting when He stood in their midst, they couldn’t recognize or acknowledge Him. Today we are hearing a lot of messages about His return and all the signs and events He foretold are being fulfilled around us, giving us clear instructions/ direction about His coming. Are we prepared? 

Eternal life is offered for those who are prepared and ready to welcome Him. The Parable of Ten Virgins (Matthew 25), clearly warns us about how much more prepared we must be. May the Holy Spirit strengthen each of us to be prepared to receive Him!
 

To Meditate: “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”  (Hebrews 9:28)