ROMANS 9:30

“What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, but the righteousness that is by faith;”

Before Christ radically transformed my life and gave me a desire to pursue Him over all things, I was like every other guy out there. Before Christ, I pursued everything that could give me pleasure. I won’t mention those here, but you can figure that out. After Christ, I still pursued enough of the world to keep me from developing that deep, intimate connection with Him. But…when He transformed me through the obedience to His Word (special thanks to Every Man A Warrior), I became a man, although not perfect, who was pursuing Him and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:33)

The word used by Paul for “pursue” is diókó which has a description to include a hunter chasing a prey. If you have ever tracked a deer in the woods, that’s the picture here. The hunter does not give up finding his prized prey. He will climb hills, forge streams and even climb over boulders and trees to get to it. Paul was saying in today’s verse that the Gentiles (as a group) had not pursued righteousness that way in the past. But those who have tasted of the righteousness of God have now obtained it through faith. Praise God!

APPLICATION

Diókó is used 45 times in the New Testament. We can’t possibly look at every single instance. However, we can look at a few things we are told to pursue. First, look at 1 Timothy 6:11 that says, “But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.” That’s a pretty good list of things to pursue, isn’t it? I love how Paul said at the end of that list to pursue gentleness. That is something that most, if not all, of us need to pursue more.

Then the writer of Hebrews writes in 12:14, “Pursue peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Now this is a toughy! Paul adds a little clarification of that later in the book of Romans in 12:18. He says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people.” Sometimes our best efforts at peace are thwarted by those with whom we are trying to make peace. Pursue it anyway.

Finally in 1 Thessalonians 5:15, Paul tells us, “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek what is good for one another and for all people.” The word “seek” is diókó. Pursue what is good, not for yourself, but for others. That’s what a real man does. He pursues what is good for his wife and children and grandchildren. He sacrifices for them. I pray that every man reading this today will pursue God passionately and with abandon so he can pursue all the things God has for him.

O God, I will pursue You. I will chase after You knowing that You will always be there for me.

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