Fleeing; and Following
“FLEE” hasting to be rich and coveting after money, “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness,” says the apostle to the “man of God.” And if Timothy needed the exhortation, how much more do we? The Christian, however advanced, needs both to “flee” the evil and to “follow after” the good. He is to turn his back and be coward in the presence of the temptation to sin; he is to follow after the good and the holy with a racer’s zeal and energy.
Righteousness takes the first place in the pursuit. Practical righteousness is contemplated, and this means everyday righteousness as well as righteousness every day. A most important word is this for our own times of Christian profession.
Godliness or piety comes second, and reverence may be included in the term; and both piety towards God and tenderness towards relatives will be covered by the apostle’s means.
Faith, love, patience, meekness, form a gracious ascent in the practical Christian’s life. Faith in God is an active principle within the soul which leads to hallowed results. We cannot love God without faith in God. And the more faith we have in God the more do we love Him, and if we love God whom we have not seen, we love our brethren whom we do see.
Patience and meekness are inward graces, which are well beloved by all who see them. Yet both hide themselves when possible from view. They are like some of our flowers, which have but little colour to attract the eye, but which give forth the sweetest of scents. Patience is a proof of power, and the power may be acquired through a process of God-learning. Follow after patience!
Meekness, like patience, is a feature in the Christian which marks a resemblance to the Lord Jesus Himself. It is the result of the personal power of Christ over the mind. It is to be acquired by walking in spirit with the Lord Jesus. Follow after meekness.