January 22nd, 2024
(2 Timothy 2:22)…..Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
We are not kids anymore! Well at least some of us. But we are not so old that we have forgotten our youth, and those lust we had back then. Lusts that grabbed and pulled our hearts from devotion to the Lord. Some of those lusts were not bad in themselves, but they stole from us time and fellowship with the Savior. For some older, they are still wrestling with those same lusts today. For some younger need to flee NOW! Trust me in this young person – RUN as fast as you can from youthful lusts. Break the chains with the Saviors help and as with Joseph, leave your robe behind – FLEE!
Notice from this verse that Paul prescribes an excellent remedy for Timothy to fight against the against youthful lusts that tug at his soul.
- Pursue – righteousness – faith – love (charity) – peace
- Qualities without which no one will see the Lord – (Hebrews 12:14)
- Qualities that are fitting for the man of God – (1 Timothy 6:11)
This pursuit of character is to be found in those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. We are not to be alone in this endeavor, nor are we to be in the company of the vessels of dishonor, but with those who sincerely love the Lord. With those who are calling on God out of a pure (holy) heart. Pursuing communion (fellowship) with the truly devoted Christian will hinder our fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness (Hebrews 10:19-25).