Which Way Should I Go?
Posted on June 23, 2016 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters
“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue
Righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” ~1 Tim 6:11
When we were kids one of our favorite games was hide and seek. Someone had to be “it” and the rest of us would run a hide. There was always the one who, when the countdown began would just stand there frantically looking for somewhere to go. The secret was to hide where the seeker would never look…
The Bible teaches that “your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8b). If that’s the case “Where should I go”?
Paul’s instructions to his protege, Timothy was to flee and pursue. The picture here is when the adversary comes at you with instant gratification, those things like pride, selfishness and money, we are to flee, but not just run anywhere, his instruction was to run towards righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Those are “places” the enemy will never find you. When we pursue these attributes of the Christian faith we are removing ourselves from the lion’s den and putting ourselves in the hands of God. It would be foolish for us to battle the enemy in our own strength, instead, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” Colossians 3:1,2.
It takes an act of obedience to “set your minds on things above”, to purposely turn, flee and pursue those things that put you out of reach of the “things on the earth”. Romans 12:1,2 tells us “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”. Sometimes being a living sacrifice means to reject what comes natural, the default cycle that our flesh goes thru to deliver pleasures now instead of waiting for the blessing that God has for us. These blessing are usually in future events, it’s down the road when we experience the peace and joy of the Lord that comes when we become “transformed by the renewing of your mind”.
So the next time you here the proverbial countdown to flee, run towards an attitude of “Righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and gentleness”, they’ll never find you there…
Written by Rob Russomano: Rob is married to Terri, he is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member. He is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events.
The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 22; Proverbs 23
Daily Quote: God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies. ~Hudson Taylor
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
31 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. ~Isaiah 40:31
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