Pursuit?....

Pursuit?....

2 Timothy 2:21-22 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 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.

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

It has been so engrained in me over some of the years of my life that I have to watch out for perfection, do things right, act rightly or according to others expectations. Certain tasks are only done certain ways, and to do them differently is almost a travesty.  Whether  it be a "clean, spotless house", or disciplining children or acting "appropriately" in various social settings...there were rules and regulations to abide by, even who we associated with was guided by these "rules".

Legalism in it's most abhorrent way...seeped in every notion....performance based life ....not looking into "who or whose" other people really are...none of these things are named in 2 Timothy as a list of pursuits....or in Galatians' list of the fruit of the Spirit....

It was a rule based life not a love based life...if rules were abided by, then they were accepted...so far from God's pursuit of each of us...every generation faces it, and we each have to decide whether we want to live by godly "pursuing" or man's rules...

Thank YOU that YOu see our hearts...help me to pursue Your righteousness, faith, love, peace....