Call To Holy Living
A Call to Holy Living
“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22) Timothy, whom the apostle Paul called his “true son in the faith”, received these clear instructions. The words are strong and the message is clear. Paul wasn’t offering suggestions—he was commanding action. In just one verse, we’re given a pattern for
Christian living: Flee sin. Pursue Christ.
Let’s unpack these commands one at a time. Firstly: “Flee from youthful passions.” The word flee isn’t passive-it’s desperate, immediate, and intentional. It’s the kind of word used to describe someone escaping danger, like a prey outrunning a lion or Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt with Jesus to avoid Herod’s murderous rage. This isn’t a stroll away from sin. It’s a full-on sprint.
Why is Paul using such urgent and forceful language? Because sin is not something to toy with—it’s lethal. In Romans 3:23 this same Paul said sin has a payday that leads to death. He wrote to the Colossians, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;” (Colossians 3:5). We aren’t called to manage sin; we’re to take the offensive and kill it.
Joseph gives us a clear example in Genesis. When Potiphar’s wife tempted him, he didn’t argue or rationalize—he ran. Likewise, we are to flee temptation with the same urgency. We know that only Christ can forgive our sins – but only we can flee from them.
Romans 13:14 urges us to “make not provision for the flesh” If certain apps, websites, or entertainment constantly lead us into temptation-delete them. If a relationship regularly drags you away from holiness-step away. If your workplace, friend group, or routine continually opens the door to compromise, consider whether it’s time for a change. Sin isn’t worth clinging to. There’s a Puritan saying I once heard that put it this way, “Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.”
But the Christian life isn’t just being on the defensive. It’s not just saying no to sin. Paul continues with a call to be on the offense: “Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.”
The word pursue is the exact opposite of flee-it means to chase after something with your full attention and intention. Just as we run from sin, we’re also called to run toward Christlikeness. In 1 Corinthians 9:24 Paul uses the metaphor of a race to describe the Christian life, emphasizing the need for perseverance and focus on the ultimate prize, urging believers to "run to win" and "finish the race" This is what it means to pursue godliness.
Pursuing righteousness means aligning your heart and life with Jesus. But this isn’t about earning your way to heaven through good behavior. Righteousness is first a gift—when we trust in Jesus, we are given His righteousness in exchange for our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is the miracle of salvation. But it’s also a call to grow. As we walk with Christ, His Spirit works within us to shape our character, to make us more like Him.
If you’ve ever traced a drawing, you know how this works. You place a blank page over the original and slowly, carefully follow the lines. At first, it may not look quite right. But over time, your copy begins to take shape. That’s what pursuing righteousness is like—our lives being transformed as we trace the lines of Jesus’ life.
Flee and Pursue is a rhythm repeated throughout the New Testament.
Make this rhythm a daily, moment-by-moment walk with Christ—turning away from sin and turning toward the Savior. For if we only flee sin without pursuing Christ, the world might call you a good, moral person, but you will not be the transformed person called to be like Christ.
The main takeaway is true discipleship isn’t about merely escaping sin and punishment. It’s about being reshaped into the likeness of Jesus. When we flee sin and pursue righteousness, we don’t just avoid danger—we walk in freedom.
Lord, I come before you today, acknowledging my need for your grace and guidance. I acknowledge that I am prone to sin and that I often stray from your ways. Help me flee from all that is unholy and to pursue righteousness with all my heart. Help me to turn away from my old ways and to embrace your truth. Strengthen my resolve to resist temptation and to live a life that pleases you. May my actions and thoughts reflect your character and your love. Show me how to flee sin and direct me into paths of righteousness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Credit: Ron Kelley
“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22) Timothy, whom the apostle Paul called his “true son in the faith”, received these clear instructions. The words are strong and the message is clear. Paul wasn’t offering suggestions—he was commanding action. In just one verse, we’re given a pattern for
Christian living: Flee sin. Pursue Christ.
Let’s unpack these commands one at a time. Firstly: “Flee from youthful passions.” The word flee isn’t passive-it’s desperate, immediate, and intentional. It’s the kind of word used to describe someone escaping danger, like a prey outrunning a lion or Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt with Jesus to avoid Herod’s murderous rage. This isn’t a stroll away from sin. It’s a full-on sprint.
Why is Paul using such urgent and forceful language? Because sin is not something to toy with—it’s lethal. In Romans 3:23 this same Paul said sin has a payday that leads to death. He wrote to the Colossians, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;” (Colossians 3:5). We aren’t called to manage sin; we’re to take the offensive and kill it.
Joseph gives us a clear example in Genesis. When Potiphar’s wife tempted him, he didn’t argue or rationalize—he ran. Likewise, we are to flee temptation with the same urgency. We know that only Christ can forgive our sins – but only we can flee from them.
Romans 13:14 urges us to “make not provision for the flesh” If certain apps, websites, or entertainment constantly lead us into temptation-delete them. If a relationship regularly drags you away from holiness-step away. If your workplace, friend group, or routine continually opens the door to compromise, consider whether it’s time for a change. Sin isn’t worth clinging to. There’s a Puritan saying I once heard that put it this way, “Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.”
But the Christian life isn’t just being on the defensive. It’s not just saying no to sin. Paul continues with a call to be on the offense: “Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.”
The word pursue is the exact opposite of flee-it means to chase after something with your full attention and intention. Just as we run from sin, we’re also called to run toward Christlikeness. In 1 Corinthians 9:24 Paul uses the metaphor of a race to describe the Christian life, emphasizing the need for perseverance and focus on the ultimate prize, urging believers to "run to win" and "finish the race" This is what it means to pursue godliness.
Pursuing righteousness means aligning your heart and life with Jesus. But this isn’t about earning your way to heaven through good behavior. Righteousness is first a gift—when we trust in Jesus, we are given His righteousness in exchange for our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is the miracle of salvation. But it’s also a call to grow. As we walk with Christ, His Spirit works within us to shape our character, to make us more like Him.
If you’ve ever traced a drawing, you know how this works. You place a blank page over the original and slowly, carefully follow the lines. At first, it may not look quite right. But over time, your copy begins to take shape. That’s what pursuing righteousness is like—our lives being transformed as we trace the lines of Jesus’ life.
Flee and Pursue is a rhythm repeated throughout the New Testament.
- “Put to death… what belongs to your earthly nature… Put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience… Above all, put on love” (Colossians 3:5, 12-14).
- “Flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:11-12).
- “Always pursue what is good for one another and for all” (1 Thessalonians 5:15).
Make this rhythm a daily, moment-by-moment walk with Christ—turning away from sin and turning toward the Savior. For if we only flee sin without pursuing Christ, the world might call you a good, moral person, but you will not be the transformed person called to be like Christ.
The main takeaway is true discipleship isn’t about merely escaping sin and punishment. It’s about being reshaped into the likeness of Jesus. When we flee sin and pursue righteousness, we don’t just avoid danger—we walk in freedom.
Lord, I come before you today, acknowledging my need for your grace and guidance. I acknowledge that I am prone to sin and that I often stray from your ways. Help me flee from all that is unholy and to pursue righteousness with all my heart. Help me to turn away from my old ways and to embrace your truth. Strengthen my resolve to resist temptation and to live a life that pleases you. May my actions and thoughts reflect your character and your love. Show me how to flee sin and direct me into paths of righteousness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Credit: Ron Kelley
Recent
Archive
2025
March
2024
February
2023
March
April
May
August
No Comments