The Responsibility of Truth

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”   ~1 Timothy 6:20

In the closing verses of Paul's first letter to Timothy, he exhorts the young pastor to guard what God had entrusted to him. What is that thing which Paul is concerned about? What is it that God had placed into the care of Timothy which might be corrupted or tainted by those who engage in foolish and godless discussions? When we are born again, we deposit into God's care our lives; it is then He deposits with us His truth.

For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.  ~1 Thessalonians 2:3,4

As faithful stewards we have been entrusted with the truth and it is our responsibility to share and publish it among the lost. That responsibility extends beyond just sharing it, for we are to proclaim it without changing it in any way. There should be no flattery, no watering down, and certainly no deceit. It should not be our goal to find favor and approval among men, but to speak the truth in such a way that it will please our Father in heaven. Remember, God searches our hearts and knows our motives. May it be He finds our words motivated by love...

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.  ~Ephesians 4:15,16

There are many ways to speak the truth. It can be spoken in a harsh, mean spirited, and arrogant manner which will disgust and repel the hearer, or it can be delivered in a loving manner with a true concern for the lost soul. Proclaiming the Gospel should be approached as if we are throwing a lifeline to the lost not passing final judgment on the guilty. God indeed has given us something that is very precious. Truth is in short supply on the world market and it should not be treated lightly when found...

Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.  ~Proverbs 23:23

A sad and troubling trend has been sweeping across churches today; swapping the plain truth of God’s Word for entertainment, or man centered messages of wealth and self-fulfillment. Scripture must be treated with respect and care, and the church should be the pillar and support of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). Too often the main concern is putting together a "rockin band" that will draw large crowds rather than how the Word of God is being handled in the pulpit. The most severe crime any church can be accused of is mishandling the Truth in such a way as to portray a false image of God. How do you handle the truth?

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth.  ~1 Timothy 3:14,15