Wednesday 19 February, 2014
2 Timothy 1:8-14
8 So don’t be ashamed to give witness about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, join with me as I suffer for the good news. God’s power will help us do that. 9 God has saved us. He has chosen us to live a holy life. It wasn’t because of anything we have done. It was because of his own purpose and grace. Through Christ Jesus, God gave us that grace even before time began. 10 It has now been made known through the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He has destroyed death. Because of the good news, he has brought life out into the light. That life never dies. 11 I was appointed to announce the good news. I was appointed to be an apostle and a teacher. 12 That’s why I’m suffering the way I am. But I’m not ashamed. I know the One I have believed in. I am sure he is able to take care of what I have given him. I can trust him with it until the day he returns as judge. 13 Follow what you heard from me as the pattern of true teaching. Follow it with faith and love because you belong to Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the truth of the good news that you were trusted with. Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
What has been entrusted to you from God that you are to guard? Paul reminded Timothy to keep as a pattern of sound teaching that he had given to him, what he had entrusted to him. Clearly Paul thought this was under attack. It may have been because here is the Apostle, the teacher now in disrepute in gaol! Whatever, even if it was the gradual erosion of beliefs and values – Paul says we need to guard the good deposit!
How do we guard it – well the Holy Spirit will help – He will bring to our remembrance what matters when it matters. We also stay close to God’s Word and avoid speculations and meaningless genealogies and the like. As I heard someone say one day – keep the main thing the main thing!
Father help me to guard the truth that has been faithfully deposited in my spirit over many years by men and women who have been faithful in teaching me God’s Word.
Written by Ps. Richard Botta
If you could have a single scripture inscribed on your headstone, what would it be?
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For years now my choice would be part of verse 12 –
“I know in whom I have believed.”
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Over the years, my actions have not always lived up to this passage but the aspiration has always remained the same.
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Can anyone else point to their scripture?
David – great thought. The scripture that comes straight to mind for me is “As for me and my house – we will serve the Lord!”