But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
-- 1 Timothy 6:11-12
The language here is so vividly militant, even as the qualities it urges appear "soft." Love and gentleness? But we have to fight to get and be those things. We are not naturally gentle. This is why it has to be commanded of us. What happens is that we are hypocritically interested in whipping everybody else into shape but treat ourselves with kid gloves.
The biggest, toughest, gruffest Type-A kinds of men mollycoddle their sin, coast when it comes to faith, and drink from the gospel as if from a sippy cup. We will fight on every battlefield but the one that matters most, the one that brings the death of what is dying in us and yet glory to God.
But if we are truly converted, we are equipped and empowered to be ruthlessly brutal with the sin in us, positively in pursuit of gentleness and kindness, and steadfast in the faith, in love for others, and in the rhythms of the Spiritual disciplines.
Men of God, the kingdom comes violently, and violent men lay hold of it. Pursue, fight, take hold. It's time to do work. It's time to handle business.
3 comments:
Quote of the month "Men of God, the kingdom comes violently, and violent men lay hold of it. Pursue, fight, take hold. It's time to do work. It's time to handle business."
Within the context of your post, of course.
Phil, nope.
A hearty amen to that!
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