Have you fallen into a trap? Have you been blindsided? Are you stuck in a quagmire? Have you stopped to evaluate and take notice of your situation? Do you know how to put yourself back on the right track?
There are times when we are fooled into a situation we didn’t intend to get into. It happens one small step at a time. We made one small choice that led to another one. We didn’t see where it would all lead. We didn’t stop to evaluate the possibilities.
There are other times when we feel compelled to put ourselves in a bad situation. It may be to support a family member, a friend, or to do a task for work. We feel as though we have no choice but to support them. So, we choose to do something we don’t believe is right or the best choice.
After all, we are human. We are not perfect. Unfortunately, we often use that as an excuse to discard our bad choices like a candy wrapper. Another bad choice—not taking ownership. Yet, we can make a change going forward.
Just as Paul encouraged Timothy, he is encouraging us. No, he doesn’t say whether we are to do one thing or another in our lives today. He does provide guiding principles that will help us make the right choices, the best choices.
Just prior to today’s passage, Paul warned Timothy about chasing after worldly wealth and possessions. He didn’t say not to have them, but to not let them rule our lives. We are not to allow chasing them to cause us to be derailed from our pursuit of faith and righteousness.
Paul is reinforcing what Jesus taught in the two greatest commands—love God, love your neighbor. When we make choices using them as a filter, we continue to do what is right. So, let’s ask ourselves, “Which option shows my love for God? Which option shows my love for my neighbor?” Our choices will be made by putting our pursuit of righteousness and faith first, rather than putting worldly possessions first.
I pray we all continue to pursue the good fight of faith. I pray we filter our choices through the two greatest commands. I pray each one of us will make choices that reflect our love for God and neighbor. Pursue righteousness. Pursue godliness. Pursue faith. Make right choices. Take hold of eternal life.
1 Timothy 6:11-12 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Marty Pressey 