Protect and Guard

 

We like Timothy must guard and protect the trust of: faith, truth, hope, doctrine and sound teaching, freedom from sin, love, and willingness of heart leading to obedience! We have been given and entrusted with these, not earned, so that if they are lost they may not be regained. Do not lose what you were given! “Whoever has, to him more will be given” , and “Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown”! (Mark 4:25; Revelation 3:11)

Also we must avoid getting caught up in or trusting in other worldly knowledge. Of course there is some knowledge of this life that is profitable for our short stay here, such as ability to do your work well, business, investing, science, schooling, arts, practicalities, etc., but we must realize it’s worthlessness in comparison to true knowledge leading to godly living, humility, repentance, and God’s eternal kingdom! A more dangerous knowledge is that of philosophy and psychology, which is a circular reasoning from the head and of the head that leads nowhere but to a polite and carefully worded spiritual declination. A most perilous knowledge is that of false religion (even that of the “Christian” sort), spiritual pride and strength, that leads you away from dependence on Christ for everything, and leads you to be independently walking the easy path to hell.

 

The real risk is that these other types of “knowledge” have the opportunity to go to your head, make you proud, and ruin and calcify the heart and so prevent any spiritual usefulness in Christ Jesus. You will know that is the case by the things you talk about most. From the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). You are not more than your words. What are you professing? By your own words, by your continual thinking of and speaking of other things, have you professed to have left the faith?

 

May it be that we are sobered and awakened today, softened in heart, and led to cling to true knowledge that is full of grace, truth, and a strengthened godly life!

 

Scriptures:

2 Timothy 1:13-14 NKJV

Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. [14] That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

 

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

 

But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. [37] For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”