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4/18 Reading Portions: Leviticus 22; Psalm 28-29; Ecclesiastes 5; 2 Timothy 1
2 Timothy 1:14
By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
DEPOSIT
The verse before us today provides three blessed truths, among many. First, this verse is a truth to acknowledge. Although sinners are saved by God’s grace through the preaching of the Word, the Bible itself was written for those already saved. Our verse today implies this truth. The Holy Spirit dwells within us, not within those who are unsaved; for light cannot dwell with darkness, neither does freshwater and saltwater flow from the same fountain (2 Cor 6:14; Jas 3:11). This truth alone should encourage us. Second, our verse presents a grace to embrace. We possess a good deposit and it had been given us by the grace of God, as is every good gift. Moreover, the good deposit, the sacred trust committed unto us, speaks of the blessed hope of Christ’s return. Jesus will return for the good deposit He has placed in us. Finally, we have a command to obey. We are told to guard the good deposit entrusted to us. It doesn’t happen automatically. God has deposited eternal life within us in such a way that there must be an enduring response— not merely when salvation was received, but also throughout our time on the planet until Jesus returns. Yet we cannot do this in the flesh. The flesh cannot keep the blessings of Christ from escaping our minds or growing cold in our hearts. Guarding the sacred trust must be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. The good deposit are eternal, heavenly blessings of God in Christ, and therefore, must be kept by power greater than any deed or device formed in fickle flesh. Communion by the Spirit and praying to the Father through the truth of the Son is the power which secures the appropriate protection. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
By the Spirit only may we
Guard those things receiv’d by grace;
With heav’nly pow’r through Calvary
Are Christ’s blessings kept in place.