FRIDAY May 16, 2025
The Pursuit of Godliness
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:11
Timothy was to flee the temptations mentioned by Paul concerning the love of money. Instead, he was to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and gentleness. Paul elaborated on the real marks of true spirituality.
The word pursue has several meanings: “pursue (as one would a calling),” “to follow after,” “to seek after eagerly,” or “to earnestly endeavor to acquire.” This was to be Timothy’s upward pursuit in life. He was to pursue righteousness which speaks of doing right in relation to both God and man. It emphasizes outward behavior such as: integrity, virtue, purity of life, uprightness, and correctness in thinking, feeling and acting.
Timothy was also to pursue godliness and faith. The pursuit of godliness speaks of having a reverence, respect and piety toward God. To live in pursuit of faith means to continue to have “the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ.”
What of the pursuit of love? The Greek word used here is agape––the unconditional love of God that Timothy was to express to others. In action it speaks of affection, good will, benevolence, and brotherly love. Timothy was also to pursue patience. For most of us, the pursuit of patience is difficult, but nevertheless, we are to pursue it. The word patience in this context points to the character of a man who does not swerve from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety, even though he suffers great trials. His steadfastness is constant and enduring.
Lastly, the pursuit of gentleness is a mild meekness to be seen in Timothy’s character. We, too, are to have such a disposition, having a gentleness of spirit––meekness. Make it your aim to pursue after all these things as you live your life in pursuit of God.
To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul’s paradox of love.
~A. W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
