In what ways can we "keep this commandment" in our daily lives? Understanding the Charge “ I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate …” (1 Timothy 6:13). • Paul roots the command in God’s presence and Christ’s example. • The “commandment” (v. 14) gathers everything just urged: flee evil, pursue virtue, fight the good fight, hold eternal life. • Keeping it means living daily as if God and Christ are watching—because they are. Nurturing Daily Devotion • Begin each morning acknowledging “God, who gives life to all things” (v. 13). A conscious awareness of His sustaining breath fuels obedience. • Read and meditate on Scripture (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2). Scripture renews the mind so we recognize what to flee and what to pursue. • Memorize key verses that address areas of struggle (Psalm 119:11). Hiding the Word equips us to respond when temptation strikes. Practicing Integrity in Thought and Speech • Christ “testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate” (v. 13). He spoke truth under pressure. • We keep the commandment when we deliberately speak truth—at work, at school, online (Ephesians 4:25). • Let private thoughts match public words (Psalm 19:14). Guarding the inner life prevents hypocrisy. Pursuing Righteous Actions 1 Timothy 6:11 lists the pursuits: • Righteousness—make choices that align with God’s standards, not culture’s shifting ethics (Proverbs 11:5). • Godliness—cultivate reverent respect for God in every setting, from the checkout line to the boardroom (1 Corinthians 10:31). • Faith—trust God in uncertainty; refuse anxiety by casting cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). • Love—initiate acts of kindness, especially toward the difficult (John 13:35). • Endurance—stay the course when prayers seem unanswered (Hebrews 10:36). • Gentleness—answer critics with calm, not combat (2 Timothy 2:24-25). Guarding Doctrine • Earlier Paul warns of “false teachers” (1 Timothy 6:3-5). We keep the command by measuring every teaching against Scripture (Acts 17:11). • Hold to “the words of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 3). Refuse to dilute or dismiss hard texts. • Share sound doctrine in conversations and mentoring relationships (Titus 2:1-2). Fighting the Good Fight in Private • Victory in public starts with private discipline (Matthew 6:6). • Confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9). Lingering guilt saps spiritual strength. • Fast periodically to sharpen dependence on God (Matthew 6:16-18). • Practice gratitude; it disarms envy and greed condemned earlier in the chapter (1 Timothy 6:6-10). Living Expectantly “…until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 6:14). • Set your hope on His return, not on earthly security (Colossians 3:1-4). • Steward resources generously, laying up “treasure in heaven” (Matthew 6:20; 1 Timothy 6:17-19). • Encourage one another with the promise of His coming (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Anticipation fuels perseverance. Putting It All Together Daily obedience is not complicated: stay conscious of God’s presence, feed on His Word, walk in integrity, pursue Christlike virtues, guard truth, wage private battles, and live for the day He appears. By doing so, we “keep this commandment without spot or blame” (1 Timothy 6:14), bringing honor to the God who gave us life and to Christ Jesus, our unwavering example. |
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