1Timothy 6:11-21 FINAL WATCHWORDS
A common practice when teaching is to tell the listeners what you are going to say, then say it, then tell them what you said. By review and reinforcement, a matter that is of importance is impressed on people. There was no question as to whom this six-fold charge was being laid. Timothy was the man of God who was responsible for passing on the truths he "had heard among many witnesses," and making them plain to the assembly at Ephesus. He was not a man with an insignificant relationship with the apostle, with the assembly, and with his Lord. He was God's man, for God's work, in God's house, responsible to do God's will. Christianity is not a passive religion, as so many people think, nor is Christianity a passive lifestyle in which everyone waits for God to do things for us.
Some very strong verbs describe what God's intention is for "the man of God" to do in his service. Faith is active in our preparation for service. This is our training time in which our spiritual strength and understanding are developed. Hard work and willing sacrifice are expected of those who know what is right. They are charged with the responsibility to go out and do what they know. To "flee" that which we know is wrong is an honorable flight. He was never to let the love of money, covetousness, and discontent catch up with him. He was always way out in front of those things that would seek to catch him. Other things he was never to let out of his sight. Those things we are to "follow after" as in a glorious pursuit. Righteousness in a practical way is possible because we have been given the righteousness of Christ positionally. We have a righteous standing before God and are to live that out continually. Discipline is required because the servant is to "fight." The fight is a good fight of faith for which we are strengthened for that which lies ahead. We know what is right and what is wrong when decisions have to be made as participants in the work, not just spectators.
Obedience is also required when we are involved in the work of the Lord. We are to engage in that work in the way He wants and follow through with it. To "lay hold" of this work is not based on our own inclinations but on that which is consistent with furthering the message of eternal life. To contribute to the calling and know the objectives we seek to reach in the work is a treasure to grasp. Godliness is to be a characteristic of a man of God. We need to keep this as a treasure to guard by maintaining the right attitude toward God with respect and reverence. The outworking of this is a continual trust in God with the assurance that we can accomplish what He has called us to. When godliness and righteousness toward God are intact, faith in Him, motivated by love, enables us to do His work with patience and controlled strength. Meekness will make the necessary strength possible even when there is pressure to compromise.