LISTEN TO THE MENTOR
Do you have a Mentor/Spiritual father? I was chatting to a young Asian Pastor recently and must have concluded with the word SON. We have been friends for quite a number of years, although he had never expressed a desire to be Mentored by me, but the reason for our messaging was the result of a real struggle he was experiencing. When we next chatted on Whatsapp video, he said me calling him son really witnessed with him, and he asked if I would fulfil that role in his life. My response was “Let us take it slowly and see how it develops”.
I love the illustrations in the Word of God of Mentoring relationships like Elijah/Elisha and of course Paul and Timothy.
I was reminded just today of Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Tim. 6:11 NKJV But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
PASSION Timothy, you are God’s man, so run from all these errors. Instead, chase after true holiness, justice, faithfulness, love, hope, and tender humility.
N.L.T. But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
AMP.N.T. But as for you, O man of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness (right standing with God and true goodness), godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christlike), faith, love, steadfastness (patience), and gentleness of heart.
Paul was writing to Timothy not only as a fellow Believer, but as a Pastor of the church at Ephesus. Paul highlighted the tremendous danger of loving money (1 Tim.6:10)For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Paul says flee and run away from it, and run in the opposite direction with that same level of intensity towards:
RIGHTEOUSNESS
GODLINESS
/FAITH/FAITHFULNESS
LOVE
PAITENCE
GENTLENESS
I have as usual put other translations in the blog, and I would encourage you to spend sometime looking at each translation, and let the Holy Spirit highlight these essential characteristics that must develop in a man of God and especially someone who is called to shepherd the flock of God.
I trust this simply devotion will encourage you and challenge you to PURSUE AND CHASE AFTER these things.
