How can we "hold firmly to the trustworthy message" in today's society? The Call to Hold Firmly • “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9) • The command is not optional or cultural; it is a present-tense duty for every believer. • “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23) What Makes the Message Trustworthy? • Divine origin: “All Scripture is God-breathed.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) • Historical reliability: eyewitness testimony (Luke 1:1-4; 1 John 1:1-3). • Unchanging nature: “Forever, O LORD, Your word stands in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89) • Proven power: the gospel “is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16) Practical Ways to Hold Firmly Today • Daily intake—read, study, memorize. (Psalm 119:9-11) • Gather regularly with a Bible-preaching church. (Hebrews 10:24-25) • Compare every message with Scripture like the Bereans. (Acts 17:11) • Use reliable study tools: concordances, conservative commentaries, original-language aids. • Memorize key passages that anchor core doctrines (e.g., John 1:1-14; Romans 3:21-26; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). • Guard your media diet—filter podcasts, books, and social feeds through biblical truth. • Cultivate accountability—small groups, mentoring relationships, family worship. Encouraging Others by Sound Doctrine • Speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:14-15) • Share Scripture more than opinions. (Colossians 3:16) • Highlight the beauty of the gospel—grace, forgiveness, new life. • Offer testimonies of how God’s Word has sustained you. Refuting Error Graciously • Know the essentials (Jude 3) so you can spot counterfeits. • Answer with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15) • Separate people from their ideas—love the person, expose the lie. • Use precise biblical language; avoid straw-man arguments. Living the Message Publicly • Apply what you learn. (James 1:22-25) • Model integrity at work, honesty online, purity in relationships. • Let your home show Scripture on the walls and in the conversations. • Serve the needy—doctrine that never acts is doctrine questioned. Guarding Our Hearts and Minds • Pray as you study; ask the Spirit to illuminate truth. (John 16:13) • Keep short accounts—confess sin quickly so nothing dulls your hearing. • Remember spiritual warfare; wear the “belt of truth.” (Ephesians 6:14) Staying Fueled by Hope • Look forward to Christ’s return—He will vindicate His Word. (Titus 2:13) • Encourage one another daily that faithfulness is worth it. (Hebrews 3:13) • Celebrate every glimpse of God’s promises fulfilled in your life today. Holding firmly is not merely clinging to old ideas—it is gripping the living, eternal Word that grips us first. |
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