Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. II Timothy 2:22
In this passage we see Paul’s admonition to Timothy to grow in his maturity in the faith. Later in his letter he points Timothy to the source of that maturity.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16,17
Paul’s desire for Timothy and for each of us is that we become perfected saints. Paul tells what to avoid and what to press toward as we mature in Christ. To replace youthful lusts Paul tells us to follow things that we have in Christ as a result of our salvation. We are to allow what we have in Christ to live out in our bodies of flesh.
Follow Righteousness
God sees us totally pure and righteous in His sight as members of the Body of Christ. God imputed His righteousness to us at the moment of salvation.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. I Corinthians 6:9-11
For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. II Corinthians 5:21
Paul sets this righteousness in contrast to his own righteousness, which came by the works of the law.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Philippians 3:8,9
Paul desired that God see him in Christ with God’s righteousness, not in the flesh with his own righteousness.
God desires that we allow the righteousness given at salvation to live through our bodies of flesh; that we walk in the new life that is ours in Christ.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:1-6
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the
children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: Ephesians 5:1-8
Because we are righteous in Christ we should display that righteousness in our daily walk. God placed His righteousness in us that it might live through us.
Follow Faith
The only thing accepted by God that man can do is to have faith. God accepts all who come to him by faith and imputes His righteousness to them.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Romans 4:20-22
God requires faith of man because it is the only thing that man has that is like God. Jesus Christ fulfilled the will of the Father by faith. He walked in faithful obedience to the Word of Truth from His Father. Paul refers to this when He writes of the faith of Christ.
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Romans 3:22
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:16
Coming to God by faith in the work of Christ at Calvary, we enter a faith relationship with the Godhead. The faith in God’s Word exhibited by Christ on the cross and the faith expressed in that death as payment for our sins is the same faith that God desires to see in our lives on a daily basis.
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Corinthians 4:16-18
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) II Corinthians 5:7
God desires us to walk with spiritual eyes of faith. We must keep our eyes off of physical circumstances and on spiritual goals. In doing that we see things the way God sees them, as they really are.
Follow Charity
Most new translations of the Bible have eliminated the word charity in favor of love. This is an unfortunate mistake, as it looses the real thought expressed. A comparison of two verses gives understanding of the meaning of the word charity as used in the King James Bible.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. I Corinthians 13:13
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; I Thessalonians 1:2,3
Three things that abide; faith, hope, and charity, are the same for which Paul commended the church in Thessalonica; work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope. Paul gives a working definition of faith, hope, and charity. True faith generates work, the work of the ministry. True hope breeds patience. And true charity produces a labor of love. Charity is more than love. It is love in action. Jesus Christ is our model for love in action.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. . . But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. . . For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Romans 5:6,8,10
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. .Philippians 2:5-8
If Jesus Christ had remained at the right hand of the Father and simply told us that He loved us, we would question the sincerity of that professed love. However, He did not simply say that He loved us; He showed it. He “commended” His love to us when He became a man and went to the cross of Calvary.
God desires that we show the same kind of charitable, gracious love that He did.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. I Corinthains 13:1-13
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:1-4
The cross is the greatest act of charity in history. On the cross God performed His greatest labor of love. The attitude that Christ had in that labor of love should guide our labors. That way, we live the life of Christ in our mortal bodies.
Follow Peace
Lastly Paul exhorts Timothy to follow peace. To follow peace is to live out the relationship that we have with God through Jesus Christ. This peace with God takes two forms in Paul’s epistles.
First, God’s attitude toward the world today is peace.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, . . . To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1,7
In the prophetic program when God was prepared to pour out wrath and judgment on the Gentiles, He instead reached down in mercy and grace to send a message of salvation. The Psalmist speaks of the attitude of God toward the Gentiles in the last days of the prophetic program.
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Psalms 2:1-5
The prophetic program reveals God speaking to the Gentiles in wrath and sore displeasure. At the point in history when the events spoken of by the Psalmist are to be fulfilled, God intervened with grace.
Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:12-18
With the raising up of Paul, God’s attitude toward the world changed from wrath to grace. All men born since then benefit from the fact that God holds back His wrath to give all men everywhere an opportunity to turn to Him.
Those who accept God’s offer of salvation obtain a position in Christ making peace with God an eternal condition.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 5:1
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38,39
Those coming to God by faith in Christ during His time of dispensational peace receive peace with Him that lasts beyond the end of the dispensational peace. Even when God’s dispensational peace comes to an end and His wrath is revealed, believers will not experience that return to wrath.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:9
This peace that God provided for us is to be seen in our relationships with others.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Romans 12:18-20
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
The key to living at peace with others is to view them and treat them as God views and treats us. God has forgiven us because of Christ and we can now forgive others on that same basis. Peace with others only comes when we see them through God’s eyes. We must extend the peace that God made with us to others.
Flee Youthful Lusts
God’s desire for all believers is to mature in the faith;
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ephesians 3:13-15
This maturity only comes as we replace the youthful lusts of the flesh with the righteousness, faith, charity, and peace that we have been given by God in Christ Je