KEEPING WHAT GOD HAS COMMITTED TO ME

1 Tim 6:20-21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

Here we have a personal exhortation given by Paul to the young preacher, Timothy. But it is not to be overlooked as a personal exhortation to Christians of all ages. This truth was good scriptural advice to Timothy, and it is good scriptural advice for all Christians today. Much had been entrusted to Timothy by the teaching of his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15). Much had been imparted to his trust by God, through the apostle Paul. This letter, as well as Paul's second letter to Timothy, is filled with God's scriptural truths. Timothy was admonished to preach and teach them to the church of Christ at Ephesus, and before all congregations of God's children wherever, and whenever, the opportunity arose to do so. Having been given much, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ tells us that much is required (Luke 12:48). And so it was with the young preacher, Timothy.

The gospel message of eternal salvation through Christ Jesus had been committed to (Timothy's) trust. In his closing words, Paul charges Timothy to keep what had been entrusted to him. That is, to keep it in the pure, truthful state it was imparted to his trust. First of all, when something is placed in your trust, it does not belong to you - it is not your own possession - you have no ownership interest in it. Whatever is placed in your trust, you only have custodial control. You become its guardian, having the responsibility to vigilantly maintain, protect, and defend it. As a good steward, it becomes your duty to assure its owner that it has been, is now, and will continue to be used, only for the purpose for which it is intended. This, indeed, was Timothy's responsibility placed on him by the apostle Paul. Timothy was to safely keep the pure gospel message of eternal salvation through Christ Jesus that had been committed to thy trust.

God's plan of salvation had been given, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to the twelve apostles' trust, and was first preached to the Jewish nation, in Jerusalem, on the Day of Pentecost. It was later entrusted to the apostle Paul, by Jesus Christ, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God. This was the same message of salvation that was committed to (Timothy's) trust. As the guardian of the pure gospel, which professes Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, Paul told Timothy that he must avoid profane and vain babblings. In other words, Timothy was to use all diligence not to compromise, alter, or replace God's inspired words of truth, with theprofane teachings of false preachers. "Profane" teachings are uninspired, unconsecrated, secular, common, and have their origin through human wisdom. Such teachings of men are also vain babblings, which are foolish and meaningless speeches that, if allowed to do so, will destroy the true spiritual values found in God's pure Holy Word.

Also, as a steward of God's word, Timothy was to protect it from the oppositions of science, falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith. As it is used here, "science" means "scientific knowledge." From the beginning of the Christian dispensation on the Day of Pentecost after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, to the present day, scientific studies have been made in order to refute, not only God as our Creator, but Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Savior of the world. It is falsely referred to as science because, with extensive efforts given, there has not been one iota of proof to establish that which they oppose so strongly. Just the opposite has occurred. Instead of proving God's word wrong, the "knowledge" scientists have produced, and the evidence they have uncovered, they have only aided in establishing and confirming the truths found in God's Holy Word. Indeed, God is real. Heaven and Hell are assured. His Son, Jesus Christ was sent to establish His church, provide the way to reconcile us to God by the cleansing of our souls, and prepare an eternal home in Heaven for all of God's faithful children.

Just as this trust to protect, and teach, God's will was committed to Timothy, so it has been committed to every Christian. All followers of Christ are custodians, guardians, and stewards of God's truth. I have been given the same obligation, which the apostle Paul gave to Timothy - to protect and keep God's word pure, and free from the ungodly doctrines of false teachers. At the same time, I have the God-given duty to proclaim the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ to my family, friends, and all people I can possibly reach, who have open and receptive hearts and minds, and are truly searching for the hope of eternal salvation. In doing so, I, like young Timothy, will be keeping that which is committed to me!