Resources/Articles
"Guard This With Your Life!"
Not many statements carry as much weight and responsibility as “Guard this with your life.” You may have had this said to you or you may have said it to another person when something precious and valuable was passed into your hands or into the hands of another person. You did not take casually such a trust in you from another. You wanted to make sure to return the item in the same condition as when you received it.
Paul gave Timothy a responsibility in 2 Timothy 1:13: “Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me...” This exhortation is delivered because there were some, in the days this book was written, who were concerned more about “fables...profane and vain babblings...disputes over words....useless wrangling” (1 Timothy 1:4,6; 4:7; 2 Timothy 2:14-16). The reason these “sound words” must be guarded is because it is “the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). Therefore, if you distort the words of salvation, you will be teaching another doctrine (Galatians 1:6-8; 1 Timothy 1:3).
How can we guard the “pattern of sound words?”
1.) Learn to trust God. This is not a philosophical acceptance of God’s existence. It is confidence in what God has done, wants done, and will do as described in His word.
2.) Do not write a creed. Hundreds of churches have written creeds because they have been influenced by the issues of the culture. We do not need to alter, better arrange, or lengthen God’s revelation. Just obey the Book.
3.) Read and study (1 Timothy 4:13). Reading the Bible is the surest way for sound doctrine to reach your heart. Let it dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16). Study scripture so you will not force it into meaning something God did not intend for it to mean (2 Timothy 2:15). Defend the “sound doctrine” today so the next generation will have God’s way to make them wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).
