1 Timothy, Devo

Ascend To New Heights With God

Ascend To New Heights With God

MALACHI JOURNAL
FLORIDA MEN'S WEEKEND

he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. — 1 Timothy 6:15-16

As Paul brings this conversation with Timothy to a close, he ascends to great heights with seven statements of praise to God. They are three names for God and four descriptions of God.

  1. Sovereign - God of all power.
  2. King - God of all people.
  3. Lord - God of all authority.
  4. Immortal - God is deathless and alive.
  5. Unapproachable - God is unreachable even in our imagination.
  6. Honor - God has the highest worth.
  7. Dominion - God has power demonstrated forever.

But in context, the charge is for Timothy to pursue the things of God with the understanding that the God who is described in these seven ways is watching and that he is the motivation and the reason we live to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness.

This is precisely where followers go wrong. We get distracted by acts of self-centered disobedience or acts of self-righteous obedience. Both are signs we have forgotten God. The first method is evident because self-centered disobedience is always easy to spot. It's represented by the younger son in the story of the Prodigal Son. The second is less obvious because self-righteous obedience is allusive and deceptive and disguises itself as righteousness yet is undergirded with malicious motives that have gotten misaligned. It's represented by the older son in the story of the Prodigal Son, who put on a great show but sought many of the same things the younger son wanted. Still, he did it differently — through self-righteous obedience to earn the father's love and blessing. But the problem of both sons is that they failed to see that the father had endless amounts of riches and that all he had was always at their disposal, maybe because they were too focused on themselves.

And Paul does this right here. He ensures as he ends this letter that Timothy understands that the only reason he can pursue godliness is because of God, and therefore he should keep his eyes fixed on him. He wants him to work hard, fight the good fight, correct heresy, and build leaders with his eyes on the summit and God.

So how are you doing with this today? Are you focused on God? Or have you been distracted for too long by self-centered and self-righteous thoughts? If so, turn your eyes to the hills. Consider where your help comes from. The God and make of all things.

ASK THIS: Have you been distracted by self-centered and self-righteous thoughts?

DO THIS: Turn your eyes to God.

PRAY THIS: You are my Sovereign, King, and Lord. You are immortal and unapproachable. Worthy of all honor and dominion.

PLAY THIS: My Help Comes From The Lord.

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10 thoughts on “Ascend To New Heights With God”

  1. Eddie Ackerman says:

    There were times in my past where I could have been either son, actively disobeying God by pursuing pornography and self-pleasure, even into the first decade or so of marriage, but then I started to pursue Him trying to make up for that time in my life where I was actively disobeying Him, trying to earn His love. Now I have matured enough in my faith that I honestly and happily pursue Him because I know what He has forgiven me for and I long to spread the good news for other people to come to that point as well, so that Heaven is more crowded.

  2. Jose Barrientos says:

    I often ask myself why I do the Godly things. And often times I don’t like the honest answer. Its a back n forth battle.

  3. Dennis Burk says:

    We’ve been adopted, and because of Jesus’ sacrifice we can boldly approach this wonderful powerful abba father to find mercy and grace.

  4. DanG says:

    Vince,
    Relating our self-centered and self-righteousness acts to the younger and older sons in the Prodigal Son story clarified the differences brilliantly, thanks.

  6. JasonB says:

    Beautiful! Thanks Vince for continuing to point us to God. I listened and re listened multiple times as well. I’m reminded of Paul’s words, “I want to know Christ, and the power of His rising!” Lord, help us keep our eyes on You. Amen

  9. Trent says:

    Unfortunately I seem to be living proof that “All the labor of man is for his mouth, yet the appetite is not filled” (Eccl 6:7) My mind says use me Lord to disciple others to a relationship with you. My gut or something in there says money, trucks, tools, houses, liquor, women! “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, OH God, my strength and my redeemer” Psalm 19:14 This is my prayer and my goal.

  10. David B. Hayes says:

    Looking Forward to seeing you at our Man Up in Feb 2023.
    I have been a follower of your Daily Devotions
    Take Care. Stay warm.

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