so flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. [2 timothy 2:22]
paul tells his young disciple, to “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness … along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” fleeing sin and running to the person and work of Jesus is a call we were never meant to fulfill alone.
we are called to flee sin and run after Jesus alongside other followers of Jesus.
we were redeemed by Jesus, made right before God, so that we could be with God. we were made for relationship with God. he is a God of relationship: three in one, one in three, Father, Son, and Spirit. and, he who made us for relationship with him also made us to live in relationship with him – through his body. this is not an option. this is not a benefit or a burden. this is how we were created and they only way we can live in the fullness of the life God intended for us.
are you living alongside other followers who are pouring the courage of God’s Spirit into you to flee sin and run after Jesus?
today, take some time to read over this passage slowly. allow the word of God to peer into your soul. let it examine you as you think on these questions?
i thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. [philippians 1:3-5]
- who pours the courage of God’s Spirit into you to flee sin and run after Jesus?
- what does your partnership in the gospel look like with this person(s)?
- thank God for them today? take your time and be specific.
- how can you express your thanks to them today? do it. let them know.
- if you don’t have this person that you live alongside in the body, will you pray and invite others into your life?
this doesn’t just happen. ”living alongside others” takes intentionality, pursuit, and prayer. will you commit to this prayer? fleeing from sin and running after Jesus depends on it. imagine what God has for you in Christ! thank God for the provision of his Spirit and his body that allows us to live in the fullness of the life for which he created us!
~ john ryan