“Hold firmly to the true words I taught you, as the example to follow.” 2 Timothy 1:13 TEV
“Everyone accepts something or someone as an authority, even if it is only themselves.”
My thoughts today are about “holding fast.”
There are some things you just should not let go of. There are matters of truth that you should hold fast. You want to maintain integrity at all times. You want to live true to your convictions. You want to be loyal steadfastly to committed relationships. You want to preserve your moral values in the face of every urging and temptation to compromise. You want to heed your conscience in all you do. You must keep your faith intact in the times when there comes every reason to doubt and relent. See Hebrews 10:6NKJV/10:35 TEV.
“Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 NAS. There will be pressures to let go of the very things you ought to hold fast. Why would you ever hold so doggedly to things ultimately inconsequential, and sell so cheaply things eternally irreplaceable? God’s Word is not optional; it’s essential.
Yesterday, I shared the importance of regarding the word highly enough to give your full attention to its truth and wisdom. Today, let’s consider the importance of receiving the power of truth into your heart and holding it there. “Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21 NKJV. I think a simple way of doing that could be – give God’s Word a place to be, and a heart in which to grow, and an opportunity to be powerful in your life.
Receive God’s Word as authoritative for you. See Luke 4:32-36. Everyone accepts something or someone as an authority, even if it is only themselves. The Christ-follower accepts only the Word of God as non-negotiable, final authority and rule for life and righteousness. See James 1:22-25 NIV.
Believe God’s Word is creative in you. “By faith we understand that the worlds were formed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:3 NKJV. When God said, “Let there be light,” there was light brought out of darkness, before He created the sun, moon and stars. Should you not be as receptive and responsive when God speaks?
Expect God’s Word to be effective through you. “It is the same with My Word. I send it out, and it always produces . . it will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah 55:11 NLT. Learn to embrace God’s Word joyfully, and allow it to reign in your life every day.
Allow God’s Word to be dynamic in you. “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63 NIV. God’s Word, alive in your heart will change your world, both in you and around you. The Word is not static, lifeless, something only to be revered from afar. The Bible is a living volume brimming with infallible Truth and everlasting life, which is to be written in the real story and testimony of your life, for all to read. See 2 Corinthians 3:2 NKJV. Talk it out; think it out; and walk it out.
My prayer for you today is: “Holding fast the faithful word!” Titus 1:9 NAS.