“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 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. 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; that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Timothy 6:11-14)
Jesse looked at his brand new little sister through the hospital’s nursery window. He could not believe that he was a big brother now. A nurse had taken a picture of him with the baby and Mom and Dad. Jesse thought Zoey was a great name, and easy to spell. She had not cried when they put her in his arms, and he held very still so she would not get upset. She was very quiet, light, and fragile – like a China doll. And she was so tiny. Her little foot could fit into the palm of his hand!
Jesse’s mom and dad had told him their reasons for choosing the name “Zoey.” They told him that God is the One Who gives life, and “Zoey” is like the Greek word for “life.” They had prayed a long time for a daughter (Jesse had been praying for a sister, too); and, since God had given her life, they wanted to name her “Zoey.”
The word “quicken” means “to give life,” or “to bring to life.” God was the One Who created Adam and Eve in the beginning, and He still gives life today. The Bible teaches that our “times” are in His hands, and that He can give or take away life. What a great God we must have! Humans do not have that kind of power. Jesse could not have snapped his fingers and gotten a little sister – he had to pray for her and wait for God to give life. God is the One Who gives all physical life.
God is the Giver of all eternal life, too. No normal human being has ever been able to raise himself from the dead like Jesus Christ did. Jesus could do that because Jesus is God. No normal human being has the power to take people to heaven, but Jesus Christ did. He even described Himself as “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” He said that nobody could come to God the Father except through Jesus Himself, God the Son.
In I Timothy 6:11-14, the apostle Paul is writing to Timothy about what kind of Christian man he should be. He tells Timothy to run away from wickedness and temptation. He tells Timothy to try to be righteous, godly, faithful, loving, patient, and meek. In other words, Paul is encouraging Timothy to “lay hold on eternal life” and to live this earthly life in a right way. He gives Timothy a “charge” (command) to do these things in God’s sight, and reminds him that God is the One Who brings all things to life.
Maybe Timothy wondered how it could be possible for any human being to live such a holy life as Paul was charging him to live. But he knew that God is the Giver of all life, not just his physical life, but his eternal life. God is a great God, and we can ask Him to help us when we need physical or spiritual help. Are you having trouble believing that you can live rightly? Are you having trouble waiting for God to take care of something you need? Keep praying, like Jesse and his family prayed for Zoey. Keep trusting in the God of the Bible. He is the same God Who gives life to a little baby. And He is the same God Who cared enough to give a way for human sinners to live with Him forever. If He is able to give all life and take care of all living things, then He is worthy of your trust and obedience.
God is the Giver of all life, so it makes sense to trust and obey Him.
My Response:
» How has God shown me in my life that He is the Giver of all life?
» What should I do when I am tempted to be doubtful of God, or to be unloving or impatient with people?