What Does Pursuing Jesus Christ Look Like?

(Photo: Unsplash)

What are you pursuing, friend? As Christians, we are to pursue Jesus in order to deepen our relationship with Him and become more like Him. Scripture provides insight on what pursuing Jesus looks like in I Timothy 6:11-12.

This passage urges us to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” (I Timothy 6:11-12 ESV).

Pursuing These Virtues is Pursuing Jesus

The apostle Paul originally penned these verses to advise and encourage Timothy, a young Christian leader. However, these verses also apply to Christians today. For the six virtues mentioned above resemble the fruit of the Spirit which characterize a Christian’s life (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, when we pursue these six virtues, we ultimately pursue Jesus Christ. As a result, we become more like Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Let’s look at the Biblical definition for these six virtues listed above in verse 11. (NOTE: Each definition is from the CSB Life Application Study Bible unless otherwise specified)

Pursue Righteousness

Righteousness – “the quality of being honorable, upright, blameless, virtuous; acting in accord with divine or moral law”

First, we become righteous through our faith in Jesus Christ which grants us peace with God (Philippians 3:9, Romans 5:1). Then, we keep right standing with God by confessing sin and seeking to follow His ways (I John 1:9). 

Matthew 6:33 tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (CSB).

Pursue Godliness

Godliness – “devotion to God”, aspiring to become more like Jesus Christ.

I Timothy 4:7-8 instructs to “train yourself in godliness…godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (CSB).

We learn what Jesus is like by daily reading the word of God and meditating on it.

Pursue Faith

Faith – “reliance, loyalty, or complete trust in God”

Do we trust Him with all of our hearts, not leaning on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)?

Galatians 2:20 states, “I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (CSB).

Pursue Love

Love – “strong affection and devotion, and acting upon such feelings” 

This includes loving God and loving people. Jesus teaches in Matthew 22:37-39 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself’” (CSB).

Our lives are to be characterized by love as Jesus also instructs in John 13:34-35, “‘Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’” (CSB).

Pursue Steadfastness

Steadfastness – “a bearing up under, patience, endurance as to things or circumstances” [Definition from the Hebrew-Greek Keyword Study Bible]

Because God is faithful, we can hold onto our hope in Jesus Christ without wavering (Hebrews 10:23). We “lay aside every hindrance and [any] sin that so easily ensnares us. [We] run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up” (Hebrews 12:1-3 CSB).

Ultimately, we know that God is always working for our good no matter what we face (Roman 8:28).

Pursue Gentleness

Gentleness – “kindness, mildness of manners or disposition”

Matthew 11:29 describes Jesus as “gentle and humble in heart” (CSB). 

Would others describe me in this manner?

Friend, when we pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness, we pursue Jesus Christ. As a result, we become more like Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. In addition to pursuing these six qualities, verse 12 of our key passage exhorts us to “fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” (I Timothy 6:12 ESV).

While Pursuing Jesus

While pursuing Jesus Christ, we will encounter opposition. But we can stand firm clothed in the armor of God by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:11). This is how we fight the good fight.

In addition, we know our future is secure with an inheritance awaiting us in heaven (I Peter 1:4). Because of this, we “set [our] minds on things above”, which cultivates an eternal perspective (Colossians 3:2). Thus, we take hold of eternal life.

Pursuing Jesus Above All

Friend, after learning what our pursuit of Jesus Christ looks like, let’s be intentional and elevate pursuing Jesus above all other aspirations. Because Jesus gave His all for us, let’s do the same for Him.

“Let us know and become personally acquainted with Him; let us press on to know and understand fully the [greatness of the] Lord [to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him]” (Hosea 6:3 AMP).

Reflection with Prayer

  • What keeps me from pursuing Jesus?
  • How can I grow in each of the 6 virtues mentioned?
  • What action steps can I take today?

Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, into this world for me. Not only did He die for me, but He showed me how to live. Help me to pursue Jesus more than anything. For I desire to become more and more like Him. Show me anything that is hindering Your Spirit from transforming me. May my life give You glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Meditation

Philippians 3:8, 10 “I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (CSB).

Philippians 3:13-14, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus” (CSB).

Hosea 6:3, “Let us know and become personally acquainted with Him; let us press on to know and understand fully the [greatness of the] Lord [to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him]” (AMP).

Further Study


Editor's Picks

Editor's Picks