Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 1:12-14.

“For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed;  for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.  Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”  2 Timothy 1:12-14.

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There are the commands to retain the standard of sound words (sound doctrine) and to guard the treasure (more specifically the doctrine of salvation a/k/a the gospel to which Paul refers in the previous verses, that is, “the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity”.  2 Timothy 1:8-9).   

But, let us not miss the promises that God is the One Who does these things for us.

First, we read in verse 12 that “He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”

Second, we read in verse 13 that we retain the standard of sound words “in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”  In other words, we retain the standard of sound words, because of the faithfulness of Christ and “the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus”.

Third, we read in verse 14 that we guard the treasure “through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us”.

In summary, we persevere, because God preserves us. This is the “Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, as more fully taught in Canons of Dordt.   

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

Consider what the Canons of Dordt state in the section titled FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints.

Article 3.  By reason of these remains of indwelling sin, and the temptations of sin and of the world, those who are converted could not persevere in a state of grace, if left to their own strength.  But God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end.

Consider also the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?

A.  That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;  who, with His precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil;  and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;  yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto Him.

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”  Verse 7.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.