Devotion • February 7
Scripture Reading
1 Timothy 6:11–19
But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time — he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life. (NRSV)
Reflection
This is another place where the epistles turn to lists. “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.” It’s not uncommon for the gospel that insists that we are saved by grace to turn around and expect the best of us at all times. But no one is their best self all the time.
And yet there is an image in this text that I find helpful. The text says that this life is our “confession,” which is made before many witnesses. In other words, our life of faith is not lived alone. More than that, it is lived in the presence of God. I am embarrassed by how much of my day I live with absolutely no thought that God might be paying attention. Maybe that is the only way I get through an average day.
Theologian Diogenes Allen once said, “I found myself wondering what it would be like actually to live every moment of one’s life aware of the presence of God.” Then he says, “I do not mean that I actually wanted to live that way, because it would be quite daunting.”
Daunting indeed! But on the other hand, in those moments that I trust God is in the room there is at least a part of me that wants to choose my best self: to pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, and more.
I don’t know if that is comforting, but I hope so, because I trust that wherever you are today, God will be in that room. So stand tall, choose kindness, and live grace. Others in the room may not notice, but God will.
Prayer
God of mercy, be in my ears that I might hear you. Be in my eyes that I might see the signs of your grace. Be in my heart that I might choose to follow you. Be in my will that I might not only choose to do things right, but to do the right things. In the name of Christ, my Lord. Amen.
Written by Tom Are Jr., Interim Pastor
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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