TEXT: Proverbs 21:21
READING: 1 Timothy 6:1-21
SUBJ: Desiring the things that are required of us and the delight in the discoveries that come as a result and that provoke to even greater devotion.
AIM: That we might ever be in pursuit of these things as they are found in the Lord Himself and finding our desire in Him alone.
INTR: It appears that “instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16) might at times be redundant until we encounter a passage such as this where a living result is found.
1. Here, as it is in much of the Word of God we are dealing with a living document intended to be written ultimately on our hearts.
2. In using such terms as “following” there is participation and
3. In using such a term as “life” there is realization in an experienced manner.
THESIS: In the encouragement to pursue righteousness and mercy we are urged to find that which best enables true obedience and identity with the Lord. “Happiness is not realized in having what we want; it is wanting what we have.” Not original from me.
I. The pursuit
1. The term “follow” is often used in the sense of one following with the intent to do harm such as an avenger. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. (Matthew 11:12)
1) Certainly, there is no evil intent here, but we can repurpose emotions that might otherwise be evil.
2) The idea here is to convey intensity of desire and aim and we should certainly be aiming for the goals displayed to us in Christ and His followers.
2. It becomes a bit more difficult to make self-application, but understanding that it is the very character of Christ that is being developed in us is effective motivation.
II. That which is followed (as a matter of freedom).
1. Righteousness (which we may easily presume that we fully understand but is of infinite definition in Christ and is not to be separated from holiness: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14
1) Included is rightness as a matter of fact.
2) Rectitude or morally correct behavior and thinking (me assessing me).
3) Justice as an object to be attained in being consistent with divine justification and
4) Moral appearance better known as virtue (…add to your faith virtue…).
2. But, to go even further, we are look to the perfect righteousness of Christ with a desire to attaining to that in practice which we have been given by His grace!
3. Mercy is both realized and practiced (Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7).
1) Christ quoted the Old Testament to the Pharisees thusly: But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matthew 9:13.
2) And, But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. (Matthew 9:12)
3) A requirement provided for in grace: He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8.
III. That which is found
1. The well-known definition: And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3
1) In that it is eternal life, it is, also, ever being discovered to our ever-increasing joy.
2) And we are reminded of the aim of Christ: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10
2. In obeying the truth, we find much, much more: the very things for which we seek are graciously included in the new nature imparted to us in regeneration – “I will write my laws in…”
1) In that we are sweetly brought to Christ Himself as we pursue the things of God and
2) Truly righteousness is found, not as a matter of law; rather it is a delightful way of life with Him.
3. We normally do not like to think in terms of honor for ourselves and that is well.
1) The honor here is the evidence that is displayed in us in such a way as to identify us as the child of God and even the world is constrained to acknowledge a work of grace in us.
2) Consider Paul: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8. “metaphorically the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ: which is the reward of righteousness” -- Thayer
