Follow after

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. Yesterday, we looked at things that the Bible asked us to flee from. Today, we see what the Bible tells us to follow after.

Primary Text

“Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2v22 (KJV)

While we are to flee and shun certain things, there are other things that we should be pursuing after, as we see in the verse above. 1 Timothy 6v11 (NIV) also mentions that “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” Another thing that is notable is who we are to do this with. 1 Timothy 2v22 says those who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. Who are your friends? Who are you moving with. We are told that we should not be deceived, that evil communication corrupts good manners. Psalm 1v1 (KJV) is explicit in saying “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” It is amazing when you find people who are similar to yourself, your own kind, particularly in the faith; as the Bible says people who are calling upon the Lord out of a pure heart. May God help us all to be sincere in our worship of Him in Jesus name, amen. With these bunch of true worshippers, you can begin to pursue after righteousness, faith, love and peace. We see with Daniel, how he was able to go to his own people, to stand together not to defile themselves and to pray together when a life threatening issue arose.

Supplementary Text

“Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.” Daniel 2v17-18 (KJV)

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word and Your people. We thank You for what a delightful thing it is for believers to dwell together in unity and to truly seek You out of a pure heart. We pray that You will purify us, that we may seek You with pure hearts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love and peace. We pray that You will open our eyes to see those who are pursuing after You as well, and we will encourage one another in the faith. Thank You so much o God in Jesus name we pray, amen.