1 Timothy 6:11-21
“See it through to the end,” brings to mind images of riding a challenging situation to its completion. Often it is associated with athletics. The idea is to not give up and claim the prize at the end. Even if for no other reason just to say, “I did it.” Recently, I was able to watch my son and some of his coworkers compete in the “Tough Mudder.” It is a race, of sorts, filled with obstacles such as tower climbing, an ice bath, a water challenge, and even an electric shock obstacle. And, of course, lots of running. There was no winner, but simply the satisfaction of taking on a challenge and completing it. To see them cross the finish line literally are-in-arm was inspiring. I was never really an athlete. I played basketball, football, and baseball. I even coached a youth soccer team…which is ironic because I knew less about soccer then than I do now. And sure, there were trophies and bragging rights, but I just enjoyed being on a team and the comradery that goes along with it. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons I wanted to join the military. Paul often uses sports as an analogy when describing our walk with Christ. We are all familiar with “running the race” and to “fight the good fight.” It is something in which we can all identify. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul urges Timothy to pursue “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” These are things to pursue. We must take care not to let our spiritual life take on the errors of competing with or comparing ourselves to other believers. Jesus warned of this in Luke 18. In writing to Timothy, Paul goes on to tell him to encourage the rich not to be haughty nor place their hope on materialism, but rather to make good use of their riches by being generous and ready to share. And finally, he warms Timothy to be on guard with “the deposit entrusted to you.” We are all responsible to protect God’s truth, as stewards of the faith, and to spread the good news around the world. What we take in the end is not glory for ourselves, but rather for the glory for Christ, with our eternal prize being eternity in His presence.
“See it through to the end,” brings to mind images of riding a challenging situation to its completion. Often it is associated with athletics. The idea is to not give up and claim the prize at the end. Even if for no other reason just to say, “I did it.” Recently, I was able to watch my son and some of his coworkers compete in the “Tough Mudder.” It is a race, of sorts, filled with obstacles such as tower climbing, an ice bath, a water challenge, and even an electric shock obstacle. And, of course, lots of running. There was no winner, but simply the satisfaction of taking on a challenge and completing it. To see them cross the finish line literally are-in-arm was inspiring. I was never really an athlete. I played basketball, football, and baseball. I even coached a youth soccer team…which is ironic because I knew less about soccer then than I do now. And sure, there were trophies and bragging rights, but I just enjoyed being on a team and the comradery that goes along with it. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons I wanted to join the military. Paul often uses sports as an analogy when describing our walk with Christ. We are all familiar with “running the race” and to “fight the good fight.” It is something in which we can all identify. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul urges Timothy to pursue “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” These are things to pursue. We must take care not to let our spiritual life take on the errors of competing with or comparing ourselves to other believers. Jesus warned of this in Luke 18. In writing to Timothy, Paul goes on to tell him to encourage the rich not to be haughty nor place their hope on materialism, but rather to make good use of their riches by being generous and ready to share. And finally, he warms Timothy to be on guard with “the deposit entrusted to you.” We are all responsible to protect God’s truth, as stewards of the faith, and to spread the good news around the world. What we take in the end is not glory for ourselves, but rather for the glory for Christ, with our eternal prize being eternity in His presence.
Posted in Devotional