SUNDAY June 1, 2025

Hold Fast!

Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
2 Timothy 1:13-14

Paul was a committed disciple of Jesus Christ--a knowledgeable teacher of God’s Word. As a Pharisee, he was well versed in Scripture. Now that He had come to know Jesus Christ, he saw and knew for himself how the Scriptures revealed Jesus Christ as the Messiah––the Anointed One of God. He continued to boldly preach God’s Word by the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s life set a path for others to follow. Therefore he could say with authority to Timothy: Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith. I love that! Paul had a heart of kindness and compassion toward his fellow friends in the ministry, especially for Timothy, his son in the faith. Timothy needed to follow in Paul’s footsteps in his call to the ministry. The words hold fast mean “keep.” Timothy needed to continue to hold fast to sound doctrine. He was not only set apart by the Holy Spirit who dwelt in him, but he had a purpose––to faithfully preach God’s Word. This was the good thing committed to Timothy’s charge.

Paul, once again, affirms our position––it is in Christ Jesus. Our salvation was secured through the grace and mercy of God––nothing of us. We need to hold fast to sound doctrine and lay hold on eternal life: ...lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12).

As we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in our mortal bodies, we are enabled to overcome sin and live the Christian life. Ultimately though, it is Christ who has His hold on us as we abide in Him.

It is not your hold on Christ that saves you; it is Christ. It is not your joy in Christ that saves you; it is Christ, it is not even your faith in Christ, though that be the instrument, it is Christ’s blood and merit.
~C. H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!