1 Timothy 6:11–12 - Obedience Flowing from Union with Christ
Well, if you’re a movie-watcher, you’ve probably heard about the new film based on the epic Ancient Greek poem The Odyssey. The poem – dated at around the 8th century BC – is attributed to Homer and tells the story of the Greek hero Odysseus trying to return home after the Trojan War.
Now, regarding the new movie, there have been some polarizing responses to it. Some people love it; others say they won’t watch it for various reasons. One major criticism is that it departs from the ancient poem in some ways. Some things are left out, some things are changed. But perhaps the greatest change is in the main character himself.
You see, in the poem, though Odysseus causes suffering for others, commits great violence, and is unfaithful to his wife, he never expresses regret. He demonstrates no sense of guilt or desire to right his wrongs.
But that version of Odysseus reflected the values of that culture. Regret was not a heroic value in ancient Greece.
Christopher Nolan, however, appears to have made a movie for our culture. Today, we want our heroes to have a conscience and seek redemption. We want them to confess their flaws and apologize.
That is the hero of this new movie. And by portraying Odysseus in that way, something fascinating happens. Journalist Rick Lowry writes, “Ultimately, the director renders a Christianized version of the pagan epic. Having sinned, Odysseus needs to repent and seek forgiveness. The movie is more evidence for the proposition that, even in our secular age, our notions of what constitute morality — and admirable conduct — rest on a Christian edifice.”
Whether or not Lowry's assessment is entirely correct, he puts his finger on something true. Even people who reject Christianity believe guilt should be acknowledged, wrongs should be confessed, and people should change. Why is that?
Scripture says it is because we all know we are not what we should be.
Haven’t you looked back, realizing you didn’t always live the life you should have? It’s an appropriate response to our sin. We all must admit that we’ve lived contrary to God’s law. Even once we’re born again, law-breaking comes so naturally to us.
And then we read instructions like these from Paul, and our law-breaking is magnified. What hope do we have of really living according to the commands in verses 11 and 12?
Well, the living and reigning Christ is our hope.
Consider what theologians call the active obedience of Christ. In Galatians 4, Paul writes, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” During His earthly human life, Christ achieved perfect obedience.
He performed perfect righteousness, righteousness credited to us by faith in Him alone. The perfect lawkeeper kept God’s law in the place of those He came to save. This is the active obedience of Christ.
But Paul doesn’t stop there. In the very next verse of Galatians, he adds, “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts.” We’re no longer slaves to sin. The Holy Spirit dwells within us because we are united to Christ. Scripture says we died and were raised with Him. How? Because we who are born again are now in a real, spiritual union with Him. And because of that union, we can view Paul’s commands hopefully.
But why should union with Christ cause this hope?
Within these commands there are reminders of our union with the Lord to spur us on. Paul says we can shun sin because Christ embraced us, and we can seek holiness because Christ sought us.
So, look again at verse [11], “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.” Paul is directly addressing Timothy, the pastor. Timothy was found qualified and then prepared and set apart for ministry. He was God’s man. He belonged to God. God defined Him. His identity was in God.
Of course, not every Christian is called a 'man of God' in the way a pastor would be. But every Christian can say, “I too belong to God. I am God’s child. God defines me. My identity is in Him.” If you are in Christ, all of those things are true of you.
Like Timothy, you cannot be “of God” unless you are “in Christ.”
Notice that Paul begins with the indicative. He states who Timothy is. Then he follows with the imperative, expressing what Timothy must do. What believers must do for God is grounded in who we are to God. Because Timothy was “of God, ” he could and should flee or “shun” the things
Paul discussed earlier in the letter, things like the love of money, and the urge to use God as a means to an end, and the teaching errors that undermined Christ and His gospel. He should shun these things because they are not compatible with who He is.
A beautiful picture of this is the adoption of a child into a family. When a child is adopted, the parents don't say, “If you obey, we'll make you our child.” Instead, they say, “You’re our child now. You belong here, and this is how we live.”
First the facts, then the commands. This is the case with what are perhaps the most well-known commands ever given: the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20, God gives His 10 famous rules.
But the statement that precedes the commandments is often overlooked. God says, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” And if we go one chapter earlier, to Exodus 19, there God says, “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” For the strength to do what we must do for God, we should recall who we are to God.
Like Timothy, we can shun sin because Christ embraced us. Our belonging with God has been secured through our union with Christ. Our new identity in the Lord is certain. God says, “I brought you to myself,” now “Obey my commands.” His call to shun sin is a result of His loving, gracious embrace. He only wants what is best for us.
Are you “in Christ?” If so, then you are “of God.” You are no longer “of this world.” The apostle Peter wrote, “You are…a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people.” We can shun sin because Christ embraced us.
Now look at the rest of verse 11. “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” Because of the unbreakable union with Christ, eagerly seek “righteousness.” Paul has character and integrity in mind. After all, as a pastor, Timothy must set an example.
And he should eagerly seek “godliness.” This is the “reverence toward God” in the previous section. “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Also, he should eagerly seek “faith” or trust in God, “love,” which is genuine concern and devotion, and “steadfastness.” So, he should be unwavering. He should persevere.
And he should eagerly seek “gentleness.” In other words, humility. Timothy must be a compassionate and patient shepherd. He must be soft-hearted.
But also notice verse [12]. Paul says “Fight the good fight of the faith.” Seeking these things wouldn’t be easy. It would be a battle. Timothy would have to strive for holiness. Effort on his part would be necessary.
And see the rest, “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”Now, importantly, this seems to refer to Timothy’s calling to be a pastor. You might think, “I’m not called to be a pastor. Does this apply to me?” But you should understand that his calling to be the Lord’s shouldn’t be separated from his vocational calling – and neither should yours.
No Christian’s vocational calling is separate from his or her effectual calling. Effectual calling was mentioned earlier when we proclaimed what we believe. WSC 31 says, “Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He does persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.”
This might help you understand the connection of effectual and vocational calling. Think about soldiers who are assigned to different vocations in the Army. Some are in the infantry, some are in intelligence, others are in engineering or medicine.
But every soldier’s assignment rests on a prior reality, which is that all soldiers have been enlisted in the army. The soldier doesn't become a soldier by carrying out the assignment. He carries out his assignment because he is already a soldier.
You may work in business or education. You may sell a product or provide a service. You may be a stay-at-home mother. Those are all different vocational callings. But for those who are “of God” – those who are “in Christ” – they all flow from a prior calling – the effectual calling that brought us into this real, inseparable union with the Lord Jesus.
In short, Paul told Timothy to seek holiness. And he has great confidence in him. Why? Because Christ had sought him Timothy. And like Timothy, we can seek holiness because Christ sought us. While we were still sinners, while we were still enemies, because of the great love with which He loved us, Christ died for us!
So where do we go from here? How do we respond to such clear commands? Over the centuries, people have responded to God’s commands in two wrong ways. Some hear this and think, “I just need to try harder. It’s all up to me!” Others think, “I’ll just wait for God to change me. I merely need to surrender.”
Dr. R.C. Sproul noted that these conclusions are the result of “the two great heresies that have plagued the church on the issue of sanctification for centuries.” These are commonly referred to as “activism” and “quietism.”
Activism focuses on our action – on being proactive – but it misses that holiness is the result of God working in us.
Quietism focuses on God’s action – on being passive or “quiet” – but misses that God is working in and through us as we obey.
Both present a distorted view of how God conforms His people to the image of Christ. One diminishes God’s great power. The other diminishes His holy commands. One overlooks our continual need for dependence on Christ. The other overlooks our continual need for diligence in Christ.
The Christian life is neither activism nor quietism. Again, let’s start with the facts. If Christ has saved you, He has united you to Himself.
Now, in Philippians 2, Paul says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” This matches verse 12, “take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” and which you confessed publicly. Obtain it as if by seizure. It is a pursuit and it always calls for our surrender to God. You can see how people might fall out on one side or the other.
But like 1 Tim. 6, we must pay close attention to the language of Phil. 2. We make our efforts to obey because God is effecting lasting change in us. God is at work in us, changing our desires. Therefore, we pursue holiness. Christ embraced us. Therefore, we make every effort to shun sin. Christ sought us. Therefore, we seek holiness.
How do we do this? Well, Christ must strengthen us. We must receive what He gives. We do this by making use of the means He has appointed for our transformation. He uses His Word, sacraments, and prayer to change us. They do not possess transforming power in themselves. Christ, by His Spirit, works through them.
And so we understand that the commands in this passage are not burdens laid on us. Rather, they are invitations extended to us. They are what we’re called to. They’re a call to live out what Christ has begun and continues in us.
As we go to His table now, we don’t go to get His favor. We go to rejoice in it. We eat the bread and drink the cup because we have Christ! And because of our union with HIm, He strengthens the faith and resolve of those who belong to Him. He assures us that He embraced us, sought us, and He will produce true obedience in us.
Will you bow with me in prayer?
Now, regarding the new movie, there have been some polarizing responses to it. Some people love it; others say they won’t watch it for various reasons. One major criticism is that it departs from the ancient poem in some ways. Some things are left out, some things are changed. But perhaps the greatest change is in the main character himself.
You see, in the poem, though Odysseus causes suffering for others, commits great violence, and is unfaithful to his wife, he never expresses regret. He demonstrates no sense of guilt or desire to right his wrongs.
But that version of Odysseus reflected the values of that culture. Regret was not a heroic value in ancient Greece.
Christopher Nolan, however, appears to have made a movie for our culture. Today, we want our heroes to have a conscience and seek redemption. We want them to confess their flaws and apologize.
That is the hero of this new movie. And by portraying Odysseus in that way, something fascinating happens. Journalist Rick Lowry writes, “Ultimately, the director renders a Christianized version of the pagan epic. Having sinned, Odysseus needs to repent and seek forgiveness. The movie is more evidence for the proposition that, even in our secular age, our notions of what constitute morality — and admirable conduct — rest on a Christian edifice.”
Whether or not Lowry's assessment is entirely correct, he puts his finger on something true. Even people who reject Christianity believe guilt should be acknowledged, wrongs should be confessed, and people should change. Why is that?
Scripture says it is because we all know we are not what we should be.
Haven’t you looked back, realizing you didn’t always live the life you should have? It’s an appropriate response to our sin. We all must admit that we’ve lived contrary to God’s law. Even once we’re born again, law-breaking comes so naturally to us.
And then we read instructions like these from Paul, and our law-breaking is magnified. What hope do we have of really living according to the commands in verses 11 and 12?
Well, the living and reigning Christ is our hope.
Consider what theologians call the active obedience of Christ. In Galatians 4, Paul writes, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” During His earthly human life, Christ achieved perfect obedience.
He performed perfect righteousness, righteousness credited to us by faith in Him alone. The perfect lawkeeper kept God’s law in the place of those He came to save. This is the active obedience of Christ.
But Paul doesn’t stop there. In the very next verse of Galatians, he adds, “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts.” We’re no longer slaves to sin. The Holy Spirit dwells within us because we are united to Christ. Scripture says we died and were raised with Him. How? Because we who are born again are now in a real, spiritual union with Him. And because of that union, we can view Paul’s commands hopefully.
But why should union with Christ cause this hope?
Within these commands there are reminders of our union with the Lord to spur us on. Paul says we can shun sin because Christ embraced us, and we can seek holiness because Christ sought us.
So, look again at verse [11], “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.” Paul is directly addressing Timothy, the pastor. Timothy was found qualified and then prepared and set apart for ministry. He was God’s man. He belonged to God. God defined Him. His identity was in God.
Of course, not every Christian is called a 'man of God' in the way a pastor would be. But every Christian can say, “I too belong to God. I am God’s child. God defines me. My identity is in Him.” If you are in Christ, all of those things are true of you.
Like Timothy, you cannot be “of God” unless you are “in Christ.”
Notice that Paul begins with the indicative. He states who Timothy is. Then he follows with the imperative, expressing what Timothy must do. What believers must do for God is grounded in who we are to God. Because Timothy was “of God, ” he could and should flee or “shun” the things
Paul discussed earlier in the letter, things like the love of money, and the urge to use God as a means to an end, and the teaching errors that undermined Christ and His gospel. He should shun these things because they are not compatible with who He is.
A beautiful picture of this is the adoption of a child into a family. When a child is adopted, the parents don't say, “If you obey, we'll make you our child.” Instead, they say, “You’re our child now. You belong here, and this is how we live.”
First the facts, then the commands. This is the case with what are perhaps the most well-known commands ever given: the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20, God gives His 10 famous rules.
But the statement that precedes the commandments is often overlooked. God says, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” And if we go one chapter earlier, to Exodus 19, there God says, “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” For the strength to do what we must do for God, we should recall who we are to God.
Like Timothy, we can shun sin because Christ embraced us. Our belonging with God has been secured through our union with Christ. Our new identity in the Lord is certain. God says, “I brought you to myself,” now “Obey my commands.” His call to shun sin is a result of His loving, gracious embrace. He only wants what is best for us.
Are you “in Christ?” If so, then you are “of God.” You are no longer “of this world.” The apostle Peter wrote, “You are…a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people.” We can shun sin because Christ embraced us.
Now look at the rest of verse 11. “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” Because of the unbreakable union with Christ, eagerly seek “righteousness.” Paul has character and integrity in mind. After all, as a pastor, Timothy must set an example.
And he should eagerly seek “godliness.” This is the “reverence toward God” in the previous section. “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Also, he should eagerly seek “faith” or trust in God, “love,” which is genuine concern and devotion, and “steadfastness.” So, he should be unwavering. He should persevere.
And he should eagerly seek “gentleness.” In other words, humility. Timothy must be a compassionate and patient shepherd. He must be soft-hearted.
But also notice verse [12]. Paul says “Fight the good fight of the faith.” Seeking these things wouldn’t be easy. It would be a battle. Timothy would have to strive for holiness. Effort on his part would be necessary.
And see the rest, “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”Now, importantly, this seems to refer to Timothy’s calling to be a pastor. You might think, “I’m not called to be a pastor. Does this apply to me?” But you should understand that his calling to be the Lord’s shouldn’t be separated from his vocational calling – and neither should yours.
No Christian’s vocational calling is separate from his or her effectual calling. Effectual calling was mentioned earlier when we proclaimed what we believe. WSC 31 says, “Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He does persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.”
This might help you understand the connection of effectual and vocational calling. Think about soldiers who are assigned to different vocations in the Army. Some are in the infantry, some are in intelligence, others are in engineering or medicine.
But every soldier’s assignment rests on a prior reality, which is that all soldiers have been enlisted in the army. The soldier doesn't become a soldier by carrying out the assignment. He carries out his assignment because he is already a soldier.
You may work in business or education. You may sell a product or provide a service. You may be a stay-at-home mother. Those are all different vocational callings. But for those who are “of God” – those who are “in Christ” – they all flow from a prior calling – the effectual calling that brought us into this real, inseparable union with the Lord Jesus.
In short, Paul told Timothy to seek holiness. And he has great confidence in him. Why? Because Christ had sought him Timothy. And like Timothy, we can seek holiness because Christ sought us. While we were still sinners, while we were still enemies, because of the great love with which He loved us, Christ died for us!
So where do we go from here? How do we respond to such clear commands? Over the centuries, people have responded to God’s commands in two wrong ways. Some hear this and think, “I just need to try harder. It’s all up to me!” Others think, “I’ll just wait for God to change me. I merely need to surrender.”
Dr. R.C. Sproul noted that these conclusions are the result of “the two great heresies that have plagued the church on the issue of sanctification for centuries.” These are commonly referred to as “activism” and “quietism.”
Activism focuses on our action – on being proactive – but it misses that holiness is the result of God working in us.
Quietism focuses on God’s action – on being passive or “quiet” – but misses that God is working in and through us as we obey.
Both present a distorted view of how God conforms His people to the image of Christ. One diminishes God’s great power. The other diminishes His holy commands. One overlooks our continual need for dependence on Christ. The other overlooks our continual need for diligence in Christ.
The Christian life is neither activism nor quietism. Again, let’s start with the facts. If Christ has saved you, He has united you to Himself.
Now, in Philippians 2, Paul says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” This matches verse 12, “take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” and which you confessed publicly. Obtain it as if by seizure. It is a pursuit and it always calls for our surrender to God. You can see how people might fall out on one side or the other.
But like 1 Tim. 6, we must pay close attention to the language of Phil. 2. We make our efforts to obey because God is effecting lasting change in us. God is at work in us, changing our desires. Therefore, we pursue holiness. Christ embraced us. Therefore, we make every effort to shun sin. Christ sought us. Therefore, we seek holiness.
How do we do this? Well, Christ must strengthen us. We must receive what He gives. We do this by making use of the means He has appointed for our transformation. He uses His Word, sacraments, and prayer to change us. They do not possess transforming power in themselves. Christ, by His Spirit, works through them.
And so we understand that the commands in this passage are not burdens laid on us. Rather, they are invitations extended to us. They are what we’re called to. They’re a call to live out what Christ has begun and continues in us.
As we go to His table now, we don’t go to get His favor. We go to rejoice in it. We eat the bread and drink the cup because we have Christ! And because of our union with HIm, He strengthens the faith and resolve of those who belong to Him. He assures us that He embraced us, sought us, and He will produce true obedience in us.
Will you bow with me in prayer?
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