“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”
2 Timothy 1:14
God has given us a precious deposit. Paul calls it “sound teaching” (v. 13), summed up as “faith and love in Christ Jesus.” So the good deposit of the sound words is the glorious truth of the gospel that God has given us. It’s the foundational truth that every part of our salvation rests in what Christ has done for us, not on what we can do for Him.
God infused Paul with this truth, and he passed it on to Timothy. His job as a pastor and leader in God’s church was to ensure that the purity of the gospel was preserved and proclaimed. That is exactly what we still must do today.
The world—even in many Christian circles—tries to lure us into thinking that what we do earns God’s favor for us. Our trust in the efficacy of Jesus’ death on the cross begins to skew. We start to think His sacrifice for our sins initiated our salvation, but we must finish it. Turn away from this thinking! Those are not the sound words Paul taught. Trust the Holy Spirit to work the truth in you, keep you encouraged, and give comfort as you live out your faith.
God infused Paul with this truth, and he passed it on to Timothy. His job as a pastor and leader in God’s church was to ensure that the purity of the gospel was preserved and proclaimed. That is exactly what we still must do today.
The world—even in many Christian circles—tries to lure us into thinking that what we do earns God’s favor for us. Our trust in the efficacy of Jesus’ death on the cross begins to skew. We start to think His sacrifice for our sins initiated our salvation, but we must finish it. Turn away from this thinking! Those are not the sound words Paul taught. Trust the Holy Spirit to work the truth in you, keep you encouraged, and give comfort as you live out your faith.
Scripture Focus
2 Timothy 1:13-14
Insight
Holy Spirit, we praise You as the One who gives us grace and power to follow the sound words of the gospel. Guard us and Your church. Amen.
Bible In A Year
- Isaiah 53-54
- Psalm 97
- Acts 20
