You and I live in a fallen creation. Sin and death have entered the world. No man can see God face-to-face as Adam and Eve did. The “Prince of the Power of the Air” blinds hearts from the truth with his wiles and identity lies (Ephesians 2:2).

Paul met the risen Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. He gives advice to Timothy, a young man and a young believer, perhaps 30 years old.
1Timothy 6:
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

What is eternal life?
John 17:
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

How does one lay hold of eternal life?
1Timothy 6:
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. (The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.)

1. Do not love money
2. Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
3. Witness a good confession as Jesus Christ did
4. Trust in God not uncertain riches
5. Do good
6. Keep that which is entrusted to you
7. Avoid profanity, vain babblings and false science

What is entrusted to you?
A) Entrusted with the gospel-1 Thessalonians 2:
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

B) The Light of the world -Matthew 5:
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

C) The salt of the earth -Matthew 5:
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

D) Called to follow -1 Peter2:
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

E) Chosen and ordained -John 15:
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you

Questions for Reflection
1) Are you laying hold of eternal life?

2) Is there a change in your thinking or behavior you need to make?

3) What do you understand eternal life to be?

4) From Paul’s instructions to Timothy, what do you understand about evil?

5) What steps will you take to avoid the evil?

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti