The good deposit

 

By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:14 ESV

                It was Paul who entrusted Timothy with the good deposit, which Paul received from Christ and was affirmed in by the other apostles. As we learn in the next chapter Timothy is to entrust the deposit to other men who will hand it on to other men. This has now gone on for some two-thousand years, till today the deposit has come into our hands.

                This is the good deposit, firstly the holy scriptures which are our ultimate authority, and then the wisdom of the true saints throughout the history of the Church which helps us to understand and apply God’s word. Just as Paul left Timothy not only with the writings that we still possess, but also with verbal instruction, and an example of faithful living so to the writings and examples from our history are given for our good. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can discern what belongs to the good deposit, and what is mere rubbish. With the Spirit’s excellent help, we can guard this treasure to hand it down to those who will follow us in the faith.

            Dearly beloved, all this is given to you by God, through the hands of many who came before for your benefit. Many situations in life may be new and strange, but some saint has walked through by faith before to show the way. Some doctrines may be hard to grasp, but learned saints have wrestled over them before to gain clarity. Though dead they still speak, and God may well speak through them. Guard the good deposit, and it shall serve you well, you and your children, and your children’s children. Amen.

Prayer

            Father we thank you for the good deposit which the Holy Spirit and the saints of yore have preserved for us, may we also preserve and guard it well for those who are to come. We thank You for this blessing of wisdom and learning. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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