The title “Man of God” occurs often in the Old Testament but only twice in the New Testament. Both references are in Paul’s letters to Timothy. In 1 Timothy 6:11, where Timothy is addressed as a “man of God,” Paul gives directions for Timothy’s life and by extension to us today. He mentions things from which he should flee, things he should pursue, and a fight worthy of his involvement. The verb tenses are imperative and suggest this process is to be ongoing and continuous.
Flee From
In the immediate context, Timothy is to flee from any thought of covetousness. At the time there were teachers who were preaching a “prosperity gospel” similar to what is heard from a number of platforms today. The love of money and materialism have led to the downfall of many believers. James refers to such people as adulterers and adulteresses and as enemies of God. Later in 1 Timothy 6:17, Paul warns believers not to trust in uncertain riches but rather in the living God.
The expanded context would also include controversies such as those mentioned in 1 Timothy 6:3-5. There are issues and often opinions that stem from pride and ignorance. The end result is division expressed in envy, strife and name calling. Paul addresses this again in verse 20, where Timothy is instructed to avoid these types of controversies. Such an approach however requires wisdom, discernment and humility.
People have a reputation, i.e., what others say about them or even think about them. If this opinion is that one is controversial, hard to get along with and often disagreeable, there could be no thought of such a person being a man or woman of God.
Follow After
The true man or woman of God is not just marked by what they avoid but as well by what positive traits they pursue in life. The six virtues mentioned here (v.11), speak to our character and our conduct. As seen in other New Testament passages, we are saved by faith but our progress in the Christian life demands diligence and determination. God provides all the resources, but it is up to us as individuals to appropriate and apply them in order to grow in the Lord.
A man or woman of God should exhibit righteousness and godliness in their approach to life. There should be honesty and integrity in our dealings with others and in our lifestyle. Faith and love should also mark us, a faith that is visible much like the way in which Paul describes the ”work of faith” which marked the Thessalonians. Love for others is the hallmark and evidence of a believer’s reputation as a disciple of the Lord Jesus. Patience has the thought of endurance or perseverance, going on well in the Christian life regardless of trials that come our way. The last virtue is gentleness; this relates to our dealings toward others. As Paul says in Philippians 4:5, “let your gentleness be known to all men.” This can be difficult when faced with disagreements and differences of opinions.
These virtues present a word picture, a portrait of a man or woman of God. So many believers have failed in that they have let the flesh control their responses and outlook on life. As a result, the impression others have of them would not correspond with these virtues. The challenge to each of us is, “what do others see in me?”
Fight For
The thought is for us to fight, not for “The Faith,” but instead to battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. The challenge for believers is to carry on and finish well. The Christian life is compared to athletics: boxing, wrestling, and running. There are many obstacles and dangers in the way and so many believers seem to stumble and some fall. Paul could say as he looked back at his life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7).
Timothy is also told to lay hold of eternal life. We have eternal life as a permanent possession the moment we are born again; however, the life God gives is not just about living eternally but also about living differently here and now. This is what John referred to: “the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us” (1 John 1:2). For us it is the privilege of living out that life in time not just in eternity. To live in fellowship with the Savior, to have His peace and joy within, and to grow in our knowledge of Him.
Incentives
- Confession of faith – Paul reminds Timothy of what he professed in confessing Christ as Savior and Lord. We should all remember what we have been saved from and the inner joy we had in knowing our sins were forgiven.
- Christ’s example – Paul mentions the good confession before Pontius Pilate, (v.13). In John 18 the Lord Jesus responded to two questions Pilate asked. The first response was, “…My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight…” (v.36). The second answer was. “…For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth…” (v.37). This confession by our Savior should resonate in our life and shape our world view.
- Christ’s return – Timothy is encouraged to hold on to these things, without spot and blameless in light of the Lord’s return. As this day draws near, this exhortation becomes more relevant to us and even more so as His return is nearer than when we believed.
- Challenge to us – What is our response to this portrait of a man or woman of God? Are we marked by how we approach controversies, being seen as difficult and perhaps cantankerous? Does the world hold such an appeal that we see godliness as a means to gain material wealth? Conversely, are we seen by others as those characterized by the virtues that present a good testimony and depict a man or woman of God? Is there consistency in our Christian life that depicts ongoing victories in the good fight of faith?
To be known as a man or woman of God is a high privilege and an achievement that brings glory to God. Micah 6:8 gives another apt description of the man or woman of God: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”