I Held The Wrong Things Firmly…And Lost

This morning I was reading 2 Timothy and realized that early in my faith walk I had held firmly onto my success-mad goals…my achievements…my things. In the process I missed out on what God wanted me to hold firmly—my love of his Word; my faith in Christ; and my God-given gifts. Here’s how the Apostle Paul put it to Timothy:

“Hold firmly to the true words that I taught you, as the example for you to follow, and remain in the faith and love that are ours in union with Christ Jesus.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, keep the good things that have been entrusted to you.” 2 Timothy 1:13-14 GNT
  
THE WORD
  
Paul wanted Timothy to know that the place of Spiritual doctrine transcends the knowledge it imparts. It must change our behavior and transform our life. He wanted Timothy to grip tightly that which is true and right and everlasting.
  
THE FAITH
  
The gospel of Christ lives and breathes in the Bible, of course, but is given real-word, transformative wings through the lives of God’s people. After all, many people never read the Bible but always see what God is telling through our story of faith in him.
  
THE GIFTS
  
Paul wanted Timothy to preach about the origin of our gifts in Christ and to what end they should be used. His point was simple, but profound: We had God-given abilities and talents before we came to Christ, but used them for our own gain without giving him any of the credit.
  
What a blessing 2 Timothy 1:13-14 is for us with its powerful, three-part punch that can supercharge the course of our faith walk. How cool is that?
  
I ask God to help me to hold firmly onto your Word and the faith it produces so I can express your truths to the world through the gifts YOU have given me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
  
HOW ABOUT YOU?
  
What are you holding firmly this week?
  
“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.” 2 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV