The apostle Paul was a mentor to Timothy who became a pastor in the New Testament. I love to read Paul’s advice to Timothy because it is so practical and relevant in our day. In fact, we find the same challenges in our churches today that Paul counsels Timothy on in his personal letters to him. 

Timothy was a young man when Paul wrote his second letter. In 2 Timothy 2:22 - 26, Paul gives Timothy four words that are practical for each of us today: They are flee, pursue, avoid and practice - two negative and two positive admonitions.

Here is the passage: “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”

First, flee or run from “the evil desires of youth.” These are the sinful temptations that come to us all and which young people who are exploring their oats are especially prone to. For each of us those evil desires may be different depending on our temperament but they are those things that we know are not right. Don’t just walk away, says Paul, but run from them. They will hurt you.

Second, pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. I love those words. They are the very things that make us look like Jesus. Think about relationships and character that is infused with righteousness, faith, love and peace. Think of the difference these character traits would make in our divided and conflict- filled world.

Third, avoid quarrels and resentfulness. Both of these disrupt relationships and poison our own hearts. They hurt others and us. Quarrels create resentfulness and resentfulness can create quarrels. Both contribute to conflict rather than peace. Paul puts these in perspective when he says “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments.” How many relationships among Christians are fractured because of these issues that, in the end, make no difference.

Finally, practice kindness and teach or counsel others with gentleness and truth. I have noticed a trend in our day to use truth as a weapon. There is often a harshness to it that is at odds with the gracious manner of Jesus who shared truth in truth and grace. It is why people actually listened to His truth. He did not use truth as a cudgel but communicated it with gentle grace.  

Like John Lennon who wrote the song Imagine, I imagine a community where relationships look like this. Where people are truly pursuing the character of Jesus and running from the crass and ungodly practices of our world. The result is a kind of relationship that is uniquely like Jesus.

Father, teach me to avoid the evil and pursue the character of Jesus. Remind me often that my relationships should be characterized by righteousness, faith, love and peace. When people are around me, I pray that they will see you in me! Amen.