KEEP THAT “GOOD THING.” 2nd Timothy 1:14. This Gospel was given to Paul, and now Timothy has the authority and responsibility to pass on divine truth to his generation. By the Spirit's power within us, we can guard the trust we've been given. Like Timothy, we face the challenge of holding fast to sound words. Sound words of faith and love are valuable—things we are to keep. Despite personal weakness, and even when others abandon their faith, some will go out of their way to help others with courage, love, self-discipline, boldness, and faithfulness.
Being a custodian of a “good thing” requires loyalty to the one who entrusted us with it. He intends for us to ensure it remains safe and is not lost. When we represent Christ, who is the custodian of our souls, we must not alter the charge or let anyone else do so. The value of a “good thing” is only truly known by the one who created it or owns it. He understands the potential benefits of its use as he intends.
When we are made “partakers” of the Gospel and entrusted with its message, its value may not be immediately clear to us. However, when we see its results in transformed lives and destinies, we understand why guarding it with our lives is so crucial. Its worth far exceeds human judgment. “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul". The Holy Spirit's power makes possible what we cannot do on our own. We cannot plant anxious thoughts in another person’s soul without the work of the Holy Spirit. The gifts He provides are divine enablement to do what God desires in His way.