11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. (1 Tim 6:11–12, ASV)
Flee, follow, fight... Flee, follow, fight. For days I read 1 Timothy 6, praying for a revelation regarding those three action words found in verses 11-12. Finally, another action word came to mind when considering the trio,"flee, follow, fight". That word is "fall."
Daily we endeavor to flee unrighteousness, follow the Lord's way, and fight the good fight of faith. But daily, I also, think, say, or do something that I shouldn't have. The Bible defines this as sin, which is equal to falling.
In His awesome sovereignty, God knew that we would be imperfect humans. He knew that even those of us who love Him would fall short of His glory while fleeing, following, and fighting. ("for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23 [ASV])
Nevertheless, He still created us and instructed us to flee from sin: from the love of money, selfishness, pride, strife...etc; to follow after Him: after righteousness, peace, and joy, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, contentment, generosity, meekness, and Love; and to always fight the good fight of faith. (1 Timothy 6 Hebrews 11:6)
Knowing that sin would trip us up, the Lord specifically instructed us to run away from sin. He also knew that we would fall, but He loves us so much that He gave His Son Jesus to die for our sins: past, present, and future. (John 3:16 and 17): For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life...God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.)
Forgiveness is only a prayer away, and the price has already been paid to provide it. When we fall, we need only to confess our sins (repent); God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).
We can't run this race alone. That's why before returning to heaven, Jesus promised to send the Comforter, Teacher, and Helper--- the Holy Spirit--- to us. He knows we can't go it alone, and He doesn't want us to! (see John 14: 26: "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.")
What are you waiting for? If you have fallen, repent. Call on Jesus today and let the Holy Spirit's power be yours. Satan, the enemy of our souls, would like nothing better than to see you fall down and stay down. But Jesus has a better plan! ("The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10) 1 Timothy 6 commands us to keep moving, and the Holy Spirit makes it possible.
Get up! Let's get going! Jesus's death has purchased our freedom and victory, and we have the Holy Spirit to claim it! (Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Cor 1: 21–22 [NIV]) Praise be to God!
Ain't No stopping us now - we're on the move! Let's flee from sin, follow Christ, and fight the good fight of faith. The rewards are both in - and out - of this world! (Hebrews 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 9:24)