HOLD FAST THE PROPHETIC WORD

“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the PROPHECIES previously made concerning you…” – 1 Timothy 1:18a

To Hold Fast to God is to HOLD FAST HIS PROPHETIC WORD: “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the PROPHECIES previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18). Having emphasized in January, the need to always BEGIN with GOD’S WORD, we’ve focused in this second month, on the primacy of HOLDING FAST the WORD of LIFE: “HOLDING FAST the WORD of LIFE, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Phi.2:16). That’s how we can live like Christ, “without complaining and disputing,” “become blameless and harmless,” and “shine as lights” in a perverse world.

To hold fast means to grip firmly, cling to, guard, protect, “hold forth” – proclaim and make known; and “give heed to” or “fix one’s attention upon.” Believers in Christ are meant to embrace the Word of Life; guard it; proclaim it to others; and focus on it with dedication and devotion: “TAKE HEED to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them…” (1Tim.4:16a). God’s Word gives, guarantees, and sustains Life: “In Him was LIFE, and the Life was the Light of men” (Jh.1:4). Jesus says: “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are LIFE” (Jh.6:63b).

Holding fast the Word of Life is the Key to preventing our light from being snuffed out by the darkness of this world (Phil.2:15).

Holding fast the Word of Life will protect us from becoming crooked and twisted like the wobbling world around us.

Holding fast the Word of Life will guard our hearts and ward off the perverse influence of a polluted and sin-soaked society.

Holding fast to the truth brings freedom from sin and produces steadfastness to run the race of life with endurance (Heb.12:1).

Our Lord Jesus Christ held fast to the Word: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Dt.8:3; Mt.4:4; Lk.4:4). Peter echoed the same: “Lord, to who shall we go? You have the WORDS of ETERNAL LIFE” (Jh.6:68b). To hold fast the Word of Life is to say, “Whatever happens, You have the words of eternal life”! Believers are admonished to continue holding fast to the Word of the Lord until He returns: “But HOLD FAST what you have till I come” (Rev.2:25). Holding fast to the Truth of Hi Word makes us stand firm against deception: “Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown” (Rev.3:11b).

Outside of God’s Word, there is nothing but death; hence God’s consistent call for us to hold fast the Word of Life. Let’s recall few of these:

“Let your heart retain my words; keep my commands, and live” (Pro.4:4).

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you RECEIVED and in which you STAND, by which also you are SAVED, if you HOLD FAST THAT WORD which I preached to you – unless you BELIEVED in vain” (1Cor.15:1-2).

“Therefore, brethren, STAND FAST and HOLD the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle” (2The.2:15).

“Test all things; HOLD FAST what is GOOD. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 The.5:21-22).

“HOLD FAST the PATTERN of SOUND WORDS which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim.1:13).

“HOLDING FAST the Faithful Word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict” (Tit. 1:9a).

“LET US HOLD FAST the confession of our hope without wavering, for HE who promised IS FAITHFUL” (Heb.10:23)

These are few of numerous prophecies that apply to Believers in Christ. In addition, many specific prophecies pertain to our individual and family lives and destinies, to which we must hold fast and war a victorious warfare! As we cross into the new month, let’s hold fast to God’s Prophetic Word: “Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper” (2Chr.20:20).