This is one of those verse that I have never dwelt on much, and I have a feeling that I have missed out because of that oversight!
How much do you consciously depend on the Holy Spirit? I know that in the past, I have not nearly as much as I should have. This week we're going to look at why the Holy Spirit makes Christianity unique among all other religions, and why Jesus promised Him to us. What is His role in our lives?
In this small verse, we are told that we have a "good deposit" that is to be guarded, and that the Holy Spirit can help us to guard it. And that the Holy Spirit lives in us as believers in Jesus Christ. Let's look at the verse in its context to gain a little more understanding.
2 Timothy 1:9-14 "This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
From the context, I think we are safe in saying that the good deposit that we have been entrusted with is the gospel...the good news that Jesus Christ has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light! That is what we are to guard in our hearts...and if we are warned to guard it, it's because Paul knows that there is danger of it being stolen. Paul knows that without the help of the Holy Spirit we are vulnerable to all sorts of attacks on our faith and love of Jesus.
The outside world is an enemy of God (James 4:4, "Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.") and is vicious in its lies regarding its enemy. Paul had undergone these attacks ("that is why I am suffering as I am") and completely understood how difficult it is during these times of duress to keep his faith, to hold fast to the love of Jesus that he had. But he did it. And he did it because he leaned on the help of the Holy Spirit living within him.
Do you want to keep your faith no matter what comes in life? I do. No matter what storms whirl around me, no matter what the enemy does to pressure me, I want to stand firm. I want to be found faithful. Can I do that on my own? I shouldn't even presume to do so. It's not what God has designed...He has given me His Spirit, to live within me, to help me in guarding my faith. If I am not calling on the Spirit to strengthen me every day, then I am missing God's intent.
I have not been taught to pray to the Holy Spirit - but I have begun to do so. He is God, and He is in me to help me through each moment of breath-filled life.
Thank You Father God for allowing Your Spirit to live within me. Thank You Jesus my Savior for living, dying, rising to life, and then ascending to heaven to allow Your Spirit to live within me. Thank You Holy Spirit for being with me right now, at this very moment, to empower me to live not as I would, but as You lead me. Guard the very good deposit, the treasure, that I have been given...my faith in the work of Jesus to forgive and to bring me to immortal life with God, Father, Son and Spirit, Three in One. Amen.
How much do you consciously depend on the Holy Spirit? I know that in the past, I have not nearly as much as I should have. This week we're going to look at why the Holy Spirit makes Christianity unique among all other religions, and why Jesus promised Him to us. What is His role in our lives?
In this small verse, we are told that we have a "good deposit" that is to be guarded, and that the Holy Spirit can help us to guard it. And that the Holy Spirit lives in us as believers in Jesus Christ. Let's look at the verse in its context to gain a little more understanding.
2 Timothy 1:9-14 "This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
From the context, I think we are safe in saying that the good deposit that we have been entrusted with is the gospel...the good news that Jesus Christ has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light! That is what we are to guard in our hearts...and if we are warned to guard it, it's because Paul knows that there is danger of it being stolen. Paul knows that without the help of the Holy Spirit we are vulnerable to all sorts of attacks on our faith and love of Jesus.
The outside world is an enemy of God (James 4:4, "Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.") and is vicious in its lies regarding its enemy. Paul had undergone these attacks ("that is why I am suffering as I am") and completely understood how difficult it is during these times of duress to keep his faith, to hold fast to the love of Jesus that he had. But he did it. And he did it because he leaned on the help of the Holy Spirit living within him.
Do you want to keep your faith no matter what comes in life? I do. No matter what storms whirl around me, no matter what the enemy does to pressure me, I want to stand firm. I want to be found faithful. Can I do that on my own? I shouldn't even presume to do so. It's not what God has designed...He has given me His Spirit, to live within me, to help me in guarding my faith. If I am not calling on the Spirit to strengthen me every day, then I am missing God's intent.
I have not been taught to pray to the Holy Spirit - but I have begun to do so. He is God, and He is in me to help me through each moment of breath-filled life.
Thank You Father God for allowing Your Spirit to live within me. Thank You Jesus my Savior for living, dying, rising to life, and then ascending to heaven to allow Your Spirit to live within me. Thank You Holy Spirit for being with me right now, at this very moment, to empower me to live not as I would, but as You lead me. Guard the very good deposit, the treasure, that I have been given...my faith in the work of Jesus to forgive and to bring me to immortal life with God, Father, Son and Spirit, Three in One. Amen.
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