Sound Words

 

Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13

 

 

People love to follow a pattern. Seamstresses sew according to a pattern, builders use blueprints, even writers often have a formula for reports or sales letters. We like order – it’s how God made us and following a pattern takes a load of the work off of us and brings a better final product.

As Christians we know that God has also given us a “pattern of sound words” for our lives. Paul, in faith and love, has written these words down for us and every time I read them I am reminded of the importance of knowing and following all of God’s Word.

Paul’s next line, in 2 Timothy 1:14 is, “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” The good deposit is the sound doctrine that Paul had taught Timothy on top of the foundation that had been laid by his mother and grandmother as he was growing up (2 Timothy 1:5). Paul knew Timothy also had the Holy Spirit because of his faith which Paul had commended earlier (2 Timothy 1:5).

As I have been trying to get a handle on some issues happening in my life right now one of the things I’ve seen is that I want to know and see what God is doing before He has made it clear. I have come to understand that there is a lot that God does according to His pattern that doesn’t necessarily fit with the pattern I want to follow. This is why God reminds us to follow the pattern set for us in his Word. It will be hard for us because God’s ways are higher than our ways. BUT, in His kindness He has given us his Holy Spirit to live in us to remind us of His pattern.

I’ve had a couple of sleepless nights lately as I get up with my Bible and try to gain some understanding of my reactions to other people’s actions. Is it sinful to be angry and not tell them? Is it any of my business in the first place? Is it okay to question God? Is it disrespectful to God and to other people if I want to know “why?” Is it arrogant or prideful to think I can see a reason why?

Some things are very clear in the scripture. I may ask God questions but anger at Him would show a wrong view of God, He is always right. My anger would suggest I think He’s wrong. Anger at God is not part of the pattern that He gives in His sound words.

God’s pattern that I have clearly seen in the past is that He is faithful. In fact, He’s been so faithful to me in the past that I am certain that all things will work together for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28). In fact, because His way is always the best way, I’m looking forward to seeing what He’s doing!

The pattern of response that I have seen as I dig into the scriptures is that God wants me to know peace in my circumstances, the joy of the Lord, and to have and know the Love of God in me. He does not expect me to get there without the help and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Just as Paul tells Timothy to guard the good deposit and then reminds him to do that with the help of the Holy Spirit – I need the Holy Spirit to enable me to see things from God’s perspective. I don’t have that on my own. It seems that Paul is telling Timothy to make a conscious effort to remember the Holy Spirit and to depend on Him to guard the deposit, the sound teaching of the gospel.

The gospel that I am to guard reminds me that Jesus died to save sinners, of which I am one. Regardless of how I feel about things that come into my life I am to follow the pattern that Jesus set. He loved and forgave sinners, He spoke the Truth all the time, and He was a faithful Shepherd of His sheep.

The best part of following God’s pattern of sound words is that when we do we will know peace, peace brings sleep on sleepless nights.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7