1 Timothy 6:11-12
But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of eternal life, to which you were called and about which you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Guide us today and every day that we run—like a deer from a hunter—from sin and everything that causes divisions we should avoid. In the verses that preceded these verses, Paul wrote an extensive list of those avoidances, and it boiled down to all the prideful desires of our hearts that cause selfish conflict with others. We might twist the facts slightly to validate our side to explain why we need to have something or justify our retorts—in essence, we judge all others as less than us.
Because Jesus took our sins to the cross with him and suffered in our place, we ask for forgiveness for Jesus’ sake for all the times we fail to flee from sin. Please send your Holy Spirit into our hearts so that out of love for you, we will run after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Strengthen our faith so we fight the good fight against pride and sin, but more importantly, we take hold of eternal life. By faith in Jesus, we know you have given us salvation and eternal life; let us pursue this like a hunter pursues his prized game.
Guide our hearts so that our faith shines forth; let each believer confess their faith before others who do not know you. Give us the courage to tell others of your love and forgiveness so that as we share with them, they, too, will come to know and trust in Christ and, through faith, receive your gracious gifts of eternal life and salvation. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Fight to keep and strengthen your faith because throughout your life, outside evil, along with your sinful desires, are pursuing to destroy your faith. However, Christ comes to each individual to bring them forgiveness and restore them to salvation and eternal life.