That Good Thing

“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” (2 Timothy 1:13-14)

How wonderful this is in that Paul gives us a great example of Christianity, of being a child of God in spirit and not soulessly by the letter of the law.

The word, “form” in the verse above is a reference to being shown by example or by pattern. When Paul says, “Hold fast the form of sound words”, he is telling everyone to hang onto to the principle and precept of the Gospels of Christ, not necessarily by memorization and recitation.

This is in keeping with how Jesus Christ taught. For example, with what we call the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus said, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name…..” Jesus did not say memorize and recite. He said after this manner. He gave us an example, a form to follow when praying to God.

Prior to Christ, the Jews had a series of pre-written prayers, supplications, devotions, etc. that were recited at specified times and in certain manners. This required zero faith and belief, only discipline in performing the act.

Notice how Paul says how we are to “hold fast” unto the word of God? It is by “faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” It’s with our heart and Spirit. Christ is not focusing on our head knowledge.

Notice how Paul refers to the Gospel as, “that good thing” that is kept by the Holy Ghost which “dwelleth in us”. It’s not so much the exact words retained in the brain and recited. It is the principle and precept, the meaning, the spirit of those words, held within our heart and kept by the Spirit of Christ who lives inside of us.

The devil himself can recite scripture. He’s done so to Jesus Christ himself. But only a child of God can be filled with the spirit of Christ and the spirit of His words. There is a heaven of difference between knowing God’s word by rote and by spirit.

Is it OK to memorize scripture and prayers. Certainly it is. But understand this. The Spirit is given to man for his every benefit. It is the Spirit that gives man wisdom, knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues and interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:7-10). Absorb God’s word and Spirit into your Spirit and being, don’t just embed and encode it into your brain.

The act of memorization and recitation minus the Spirit of Christ will make you no better than those whom Jesus called a heathen and a hypocrite.

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” (Matthew 6:7)

Bill Hitchcock