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eternal reality. Millions live just for the present life with its problems, uncertainties and
short duration. Only the believer in Christ can look forward with absolute certainty to the
life to come with its unending and eternally satisfying richness, and happy is he who can
live the life on earth with the future life constantly in view by faith.
The Apostle Paul concludes by giving his spiritual son a final reminder of the good
deposit of truth which first of all had been given him (Paul) by the risen and ascended
Lord Jesus, and now had been placed in Timothy's charge:
"O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto thee, (the deposit, literally),
turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is
falsely so-called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with
you" (6: 20, 21, R.V.).
"The deposit" or "the good deposit" (II Tim. 1: 14), had been already set forth vividly
in Ephesians and Colossians, relating to the Body of Christ. This Timothy must watch
over and guard as precious treasure, not allowing himself to be distracted with secondary
pre-occupations. As a trustee, he must keep the terms of this divine trust and neither turn
to the right hand nor to the left. Constantly he must exhort those under his charge to do
likewise, for the activities of the enemy were ceaseless. His dupes would constantly seek
to divert him and them by their endless arguments and disputes, which Paul called
`godless chatter and opposition' (N.I.V.). They were the ones who claimed to have the
real knowledge, but all of it was false. The word translated `science' (A.V.) must not be
restricted to the modern meaning. It is knowledge (gnosis), but false knowledge can
apply today in much that is deemed scientific, for it is nothing more than unproved
theory. It may have a `show of wisdom', and on the surface appears to be right, but
Satan, the great enemy of God and His people, uses it to cause those who embrace it to
`wander' (astocheo) from the truth. The Apostle has used this word in 1: 6 where it is
translated `swerve from'.
Alas, we can see his deadly work at the present time. There are quite a number who
once stood faithfully for `the good deposit' of truth witnessed by the spoken and written
word. Now they have `swerved aside' and left the track of truth, even opposing the
things they once stood for so loyally. This is indeed distressing, but at the same time it is
a warning to us all.
In the mercy of God, the rich and precious truth associated with the Body of Christ
through Paul's writings has been preserved by Him, coming down to us today. It should
be a constant challenge to us all who profess to receive it by faith that we seek to
proclaim it in every way possible by life and lip. The age darkens and hastens to its
terrible end, but let us make sure that the light of this `good deposit' is constantly shining
through us unhindered in any way. The divine charge to Timothy comes down to us who
profess to be members of Christ's Body, `the fullness of Him that filleth all in all'. Let us
see to it that, by the infinite grace of God and His almighty resurrection power, we do not
fail Him, but prove to be faithful members, "meet for the Master's use", channels through
which He can constantly bless and enlighten others.