Committed to Truth
1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NKJV)
[20] O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— [21] by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
What is it that you have been trusted with?
We have all had the opportunity to be watchful over someone or something. We guard our children, spouses and possessions. But what about the Word of God in our hearts? How much do you protect the Eternal Seed of the Words of God?
The Apostle Paul is getting close to the end of his earthly ministry. He is close to seeing the promise of the Glory of Heaven! Paul gives Timothy some amazing instructions before his departure to the Throne of His Savior.
Many of us spend a tremendous amount of time studying the Word of God. We yearn to hear our Lord speak to us. We pray and worship Him. We cherish the encouragement. We yearn for His presence. We take the promises and hold on tightly to them.
This is how Jesus brings us comfort in a world that looks to devour us at any given moment. As we start to mature in our Spiritual lives these things become second nature to us – they become an assurance of all that Jesus has proclaimed and is taken into a heart that is softened, willing to receive and that grows in faith.
But there is something so much more that many of us miss.
Once the Truth is revealed to us, and once we accept it, how much do we protect it?
We live in a society that not only has twisted truth but in many aspects has abandoned it all together. Our culture no longer believes in any absolute truths. The Word of God is no longer the standard. Unfortunately this is the hope of Hell!
The hope contained in the Word of God gets so watered down that man will no longer adhere to the morality and holiness of the scriptures. It will be seen as a fairytale and great stories! It will be taken out of its context to be used for the Glory of the Creation rather than the Glory of God the Creator!
The Holiness, Righteousness, and Justice of God will no longer be understood. It will all be lost in translation.
Our Mighty Lord will no longer have the reverence, glory or honor that He deserves. The Crown of Thorns will be tarnished, the wounds endured ignored. The piercings will be concealed. The slow death on the Cross and the last words from that Cross “it is finished” will not resonate to the sinners’ ears.
The hearts of man will grow colder, not only against each other but to the Shepherd who looks for His lost sheep. This is the Hope of Hell! All because of one thing, us. Harsh, yes. Truthful, yes.
We have not guarded what has been entrusted to us as we have been called to do. This is not just about what God says but how we live. Many of our own standards as Followers of Christ have been derailed for the lack of Truth and knowledge.
Paul tells Timothy to “guard what was committed to your trust.”
Guard the Word of God!
Don’t allow anything or anyone to come and change even one word. Cling on to it! Cherish it! Behold it in your hearts! Allow it to change your thoughts! Speak it with no fear! But most of all, live it as the Lord Jesus Christ has commanded you to live!
Commit your life to the Word of God!
Think about this. There are only two things in this whole world that are Eternal and last forever!
First is the Word of God!
Matthew 24:35 (NKJV)
[35] Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Second are the souls of man. Those souls will spend eternity in one of two places. Paul tells Timothy this:
1 Timothy 3:15 (NKJV)
[15]…but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
That’s why we must preach God’s Word! That’s why we give so much time to reading, praying and worshiping our Lord! That’s why we sit under teachings and preaching. It is to proclaim the Word of God!
We proclaim the Word of God because IT IS TRUTH!
We, as His Church, as His precious Bride, have been given the responsibility to protect it (the Word of God). Not just in our hearts but in word, in action, in love and grace.
It is our responsibility as a church to uphold all of the Truths found in His Holy Word! It’s the Truth that we all need to hear and live by. Every heart and soul needs the Power of the Word of Truth!
And it is through the proclamation of this Truth that the Holy Spirit moves the unrepentant sinner to repentance! This is what we are called to do and many have failed.
We have taken the Gospels and made them to appease the crookedness of the sinful heart, because many are afraid to speak the truth.
The Gospel is offensive. The Gospel is harsh. The Gospel is narrow. But the Gospel is Truth and that is what man needs, TRUTH! It forces us to look at the standard of God. It forces us to look at the depravity of our sins. It is uncomfortable for a sinner to measure themselves to the Holiness of God.
So many people in the Church have made people feel comfortable in their sin. Truth gets watered down. Many have left their guard to protect the precious, loving Word of God!
When we open the Bible it is His voice. He exposes His Heart. He points us to righteousness and holiness. He gives us promises, but He also gives us a standard to live by.
That standard is foundational. Jesus says that it is a narrow path and not many find it. By His Grace He guides us to it and through it. In His mercy we find Salvation. Through that Salvation we find TRUTH!
There is nothing that is more true in this universe than the Truth of the Gospel!
Why wouldn’t we guard that which is the most Precious, Powerful and Holy!
Compromised error has been mixed in with the inerrant Word of God. Even the smallest compromise of God’s Word can be distorted just enough to give a false hope.
Because the Word of God was not guarded, protected and suited for the glory of man rather than the Glory of the Kingdom of Heaven, there are still so many that are Spiritually Pershing!
So what do we do?
We examine our own hearts first. We repent. We believe the Scriptures. We follow. We pray. We pray to show ourselves approved to guard and protect the Truth. Then we proclaim it in love.
Psalms 25:5 (NKJV)
[5] Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
We speak this very same truth. We guide. We show the grace we have been shown. We offer the mercy of Heaven in Truth! With great responsibility comes great trust. But, with great trust comes great reward.
Our reward is this: “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Be a faithful servant to the Truth Of the Gospel.
Be watchful and stay on guard what was committed to your trust.
Pastor Ed
