Jump Start # 512 

1 Timothy 6:20-21 “O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge” which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith.”

  Preachers cut their teeth on Paul’s writings to Timothy and Titus. These books are often called “pastoral epistles” even though Timothy and Titus were not pastors and most who use that expression wrongly associate it with preachers. There is good stuff in those books for all of us.

  Paul’s final sentence in this first letter to Timothy reminds each of us of two powerful truths. First, we are responsible for our faith. We are. Not the preacher, not the church, not the leadership at the church. Our faith is real, personal, active and belongs to us. The things “entrusted to you” involve more than Timothy’s faith. They would include is role as a preacher and the gifts given to him. However, the failure to guard any of these things, including faith, leads to the conclusion of this verse and that is a departure of faith.

  Guard your faith. Protect your faith. Watch over your faith. Feed your faith. Grow your faith. These are actions that imply my care and nurturing of my faith. Why do some have a strong faith and others a so-so faith? Why are some so sure and others can’t make up their mind if they are with Jesus or not? Could the answer lie here? It’s not the size of the congregations they attend. It’s not who the preacher happens to be. It’s not family background. It’s not being in a urban or rural setting. None of those things matter. What it’s all about is guarding that faith. Taking the interest in spiritual things to see that your faith is there.

  Faith is the oxygen of our souls. It is the most important spiritual dimension we have. Without faith we cannot please God. The lack of faith bothered Jesus more than anything else. Guard your faith.

 The second truth here is that not all fights are worth engaging in. Not all fights are my fights. Paul tells the preacher to avoid worldly and empty chapter and opposing arguments involving “knowledge.” Stay away from those things. They are not worth it. Many times Paul reminds Timothy of these things. Paul states nearly the exact words in the second letter to Timothy. He tells him to avoid people that hold a form of godliness but deny it’s power. Titus was told to avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the law.

  Stay out of those dog fights. Avoid them. They are messy, dangerous and they tend to get you off focus. Good words back then and good words for today. Some folks, some preachers, love to fuss and argue. Some how following the Prince of Peace makes them argue.

  Now don’t go to the extreme on this. Paul himself debated the Jews. Teaching often will cover unpleasant ground and those who don’t want to give it up will hold on for dear life. Pressing the Scriptures is not the subject here. The people involve are not seeking truth. They are not learning about Jesus. They are resisting. They are digging their heels in. They enjoy poking fun and things they do not even understand. Jesus said not to cast pearls before the swine—this is one example of that.

  Guard and avoid. Somehow folks get those two backwards. What they ought to guard they don’t and what they ought to avoid, they go after. Very strange. Some think a good Bible class is  nothing more than a heated discussion. Where that idea comes from is beyond me.

  Guarding the faith is often done by avoiding dumb and silly arguments. You may get those kind of things at work. Maybe some in the family are this way. Always taking a stab, always trying to trip you up, always challenging, always arguing. There comes a time when you just have to avoid all that. You do it for your own wellbeing. It is part of guarding your faith.

  Paul recognizes that there are things that hurt faith. Even though they are false, they have a way of chipping away and doing damage. Those who are interested in “guarding” their health, realize that bags of potato chips isn’t the direction to go. They avoid those things. It’s the same with your faith. Some books, some TV shows, some relationships, some arguments are simply not the direction to go.

  This isn’t a sign of a coward, it is a step of strength. Knowing which battles to engage in and which to stay clear of, is a sign of strength. You’ll remember that Jesus often kept quiet and refused to jump in the middle of a fight with those who have no interest in following God.

  Not every dumb statement is worth answering. This goes for facebook, emails, twitter and all other forms of communication. Some are looking for a fight. Some are aggressive and see all this as fun. Some just don’t get it and someday they will get it if they don’t straighten up. God will see to that!

  Guard and avoid…they go together. They help you survive. They help you stay on course. They help you stay with Jesus.

Roger