I just finished reading the first of Paul’s two letters to Timothy and what stood out to me was Paul’s charge to this young disciple to not complacently drift along in his faith. He exhorts Timothy to train himself for godliness, to devote himself to the reading and teaching of Scripture, and to keep a close watch on his life and doctrine. Words like “practice”, “persist” and “pursue” are woven throughout the letter. He urges Timothy to toil and strive for the things of God and to fight the good fight of faith. Clearly, Paul is not calling him to sit back and relax and take it easy in the area of spiritual growth.
We deceive ourselves if we think that we can drift along and still develop depth with God. Drifting creates distance, intimacy requires intentionality. We must be diligent in our efforts to draw near to God. Two words of warning immediately come to mind: 1) Beware of thinking that intimacy can be achieved in our own strength and by our own determination – it cannot. We all know that willpower alone will not suffice. We are utterly and completely dependent upon God’s grace. 2) Beware of believing that God’s grace negates the need for us to labor – it does not. God’s grace is what enables us to pursue Him and seek hard after Him.
Let’s take extra care during these summer months not to drift along in a spiritual slumber; rather, by God’s grace, let’s press on to know Him more deeply and to treasure Him more completely.
