“Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”
Isaiah 9:7
We have seen throughout this month how Paul charged the young pastor Timothy to “guard the good deposit,” the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Though many of you reading these words are not pastors, we all must be reminded that Christianity is a message about what God has done in Christ to graciously save sinners. That’s the precious message which cannot be lost or distorted.
This doesn’t “mean locking it in a safety deposit box in a bank, away from corroding threats. Timothy is to preach it, teach it, contend for it, correct opponents, shut false teachings down, even if it brings shame and pain or even death. Publicly contending for and commending the true gospel is a central plank of Paul’s strategy for the present and future preservation of Christianity” (Tim Thorburn, 2022).
Because of the simple, solid truth of salvation through Jesus, we can sing the words of Martin Luther’s hymn from 1529, “And though this world, with devils filled,/ Should threaten to undo us,/ We will not fear, for God has willed/ His truth to triumph through us.”
This doesn’t “mean locking it in a safety deposit box in a bank, away from corroding threats. Timothy is to preach it, teach it, contend for it, correct opponents, shut false teachings down, even if it brings shame and pain or even death. Publicly contending for and commending the true gospel is a central plank of Paul’s strategy for the present and future preservation of Christianity” (Tim Thorburn, 2022).
Because of the simple, solid truth of salvation through Jesus, we can sing the words of Martin Luther’s hymn from 1529, “And though this world, with devils filled,/ Should threaten to undo us,/ We will not fear, for God has willed/ His truth to triumph through us.”
Scripture Focus
Isaiah 9:6-7
Insight
Lord, thank You for guarding Your good deposit in us so that we always know Your “truth abideth still,” and Your “kingdom is forever.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Bible In A Year
- Jeremiah 37-38
- Psalm 120
- 1 Corinthians 14
