Message from Scripture: 4/5/2020
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Good day! Our message from Scripture today comes from 1 Tim. 6:11. “But you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.”
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I wonder what Timothy thought as he read this letter Paul wrote him, especially reading this phrase used of him, that he was a man of God? Elsewhere Paul had called him his true child in the faith, which had to be an honor coming from Paul himself. But being described as a man of God, as were such notable people in the Old Testament as Moses, Samuel, David, Elijah, and Elisha? That had to be an humbling thought. He may have said to himself, “Man of God? Not me! I need constant encouragement from Paul to overcome my weaknesses. How can I be considered a man of God?”
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I think Paul knew exactly what he was doing by calling Timothy a man of God. It doesn’t mean one is perfect, or sinless, but someone who is willing to give oneself over in submission to God, to serve Him and seek Him with all of one’s heart. In Phil. 2:19-21, Paul reminds the church there he had no one else like-minded, who genuinely cared about the interests of others, who would put Christ’s interests above his own, like Timothy would.
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Paul would use this phrase again in 2 Tim. 3:17, speaking of both men and women who had committed themselves to believe and live out the gospel. They’re not perfect, but they can be complete, mature, by allowing the gospel to work its purpose out in their lives. They would be equipped for every good work.
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Being Christians identifies us as men and women of God, reflecting the image of God, something we do today, something that will be true of us eternally. John reminds us, “The one who says he remains in Christ should walk just as he walked” (1 John 2:6). Take this thought with you today, and have a great day. God bless.
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Robert
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