May 18, 2021 -- I Timothy 6:20-21 -- Guardians of Something Greater than the Galaxy

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.

I Timothy 6:20-21 English Standard Version

Paul, the mentor and father-in-the-faith to Timothy, ends this letter with a final imperative, that is a final command. What has been entrusted to Timothy is the sound doctrine of the Gospel (I Timothy 1:10-11). Timothy is to guard this Gospel—the Good News of Jesus Christ and His salvation—against all the heresies swirling around. As the serpent in the Garden of Eden said to Eve “Did God really say” so the enemy uses the same tactic over and over again “Did God really say"? It is an attempt to shake Christians from their sure foundation in the Word of God and the truth of His promises.

You guard this deposit by knowing what the LORD our God says to His people in the Word. Read the Bible. Savor it. Memorize it. Guard the time you spend in the Word of God as precious. Knowing the Truth makes counterfeits immediately recognizable for the false teachings they are.

You guard this deposit by listening to knowledgeable, godly Bible instructors. Make sure the Bible instructor you have chosen knows the Word of God, handles it rightly, and loves the Triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May false teachers have arisen.

You guard this deposit by praying to God. Ask the Spirit of God to show you the error of your ways. The Spirit of God has been poured out on believers so that we can speak with God and be instructed in the ways of holiness. Learn to speak with God and grow in your sensitivity to discerning what He says to you.

You guard this deposit by confessing the ways in which you have wandered from the truth of the Word and become entangled in irreverent babble. The LORD our Father knows our frailty of our hearts and our propensity to sin. Whenever you confess your sin and turn back to the LORD you bless Him, declaring Jesus the inestimable worth of the Savior.

Today’s prayer is based on Psalm 119:162-166

I rejoice at your word like one who finds great treasures.

I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.

Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

I hope for your salvation, O LORD, and I do your testimonies. Amen.

https://youtu.be/IzXnINe12_E