Daily Devotion With Pastor Dan – October 12th, 2020
(2 Timothy 1:13-14)….Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to yo, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
I see so many people running to and fro these days looking for that church that will please their flesh more than being Biblically sound. It seems that the Word of God (Scriptures), have become the boring part of the service, so the result is that its preaching and teaching now has to happen with some sort of gimmic in order to keep peoples interest. When did it happen that man must feel he has to be entertained in order to be in fellowship with God? How is it that people move from church to church over music, youth programs, fun activities, and yet not be concerned if the church they are attending teaches from the Scripture’s accurately or at all?
It is the Word of God that is to be the most important part of our Christian walk. It cannot be secondary to any other thing in our fellowship with God. The passage this morning describes the duty that we have today regarding what has been taught by the apostles of Christ. Whether or not we have the gift of teaching, or are a pastor or evangelists by calling, our duty is the same, we too must hold fast to sound words (true – good doctrine). The words of Paul (and the other apostles) are sound words, and we must hold fast to them.
What is sound doctrine? The word sound means, sound health, to be well, to be uncorrupt. The word that Paul spoke (concerning the gospel) were sound becausehey are the words of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13), and they are the commandments of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37). We are to hold fast to them (the pattern of sound words – doctrine). But how? By contending for them (Jude 3). By continuing in them (2 Timothy 3:14) (Titus 1:5-9). This is what characterized the early church from its beginning (Acts 2:40-43)
The faith (that doctrine given to us to believe) has been delivered to us once and for all. We don’t need to look for any new teaching, any new revelation from God, or any new thing to keep us interested. Why? Because God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:1-4) (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and these are found in His Word (the Scriptures).
How do we handle such magnificent doctrine? By displaying it (Titus 2:1-10). In doctrine showing, integrity, reverence, incorruptibility. Doctrine (gr. didaskalia) is teaching or instruction. Integrity (gr. adiaphthoria) is incorruptibility, freedom from corruptible mixtures or adulterations. Here Titus is being advised not to mix into God’s word anything that would deprive believer of its eternal value water it down. Be careful of any congregation that will do that with the Scriptures to keep up the attendance. Reverence (gr. semnotes) means gravity, honesty, the manner in which a preacher delivers his message, or when we share the gospel. It should be preached or taught in such a way as to command respect towards God. Is the place where you go to fellowship doing this? Incorruptibility (gr. aphtharsia) means purity, sincerity, or incorrupt.
What is our duty as believers in Jesus Christ? Our duty is to contend earnestly for the faith. Why? Because of the times we are in (1 Timothy 4:1) (2 Timothy 4:1-4). The question then is….“Are you holding fast the words of the apostles by both continuing in them and contending for them?
We must do all this in faith and love in Christ Jesus, as Paul himself did. That is, we are to hold these truths with sincere faith in the Lord Jesus, and love for God and His Word. In holding fast to sound words (doctrine), are you doing so with sincere faith in Jesus Christ and love for both God and His Word? As with Timothy, we are to keep (guard) what was committed to us.
- The gospel was committed to the apostles – (1 Timothy 1:11)
- They in turn committed it to men like Timothy – (1 Timothy 6:20)
- Who in turn are to commit it to faithful men who teach others – (2 Timothy 2:2)
Those who have received it must keep/guard it (gr. phulasso) meaning to keep watch over it, to protect it. This is Paul’s charge to Timothy, and this is the charge of all who have received the gospel. Are you safely guarding what has been committed to you? It is not enough to simply know the words given to us by the through the apostles, we must continue in them, we must contend for them, in faith and love. And to do this, it helps to be in a fellowship where the Word of God is lifted up as the main course of worship. Make sure you are in a fellowship (church) like this.