Below are some of the verses which speak the matter of having been entrusted by God, whether it be “the good deposit,” “the gospel,” the faith,” or the “ministry of reconciliation.” What is fascinating to me as I have been examining some of these verses is that the same word which denotes saving faith (pisteuo) is the same word to denote what we have been given by God (in Greek: pisteuqh/nai, pepi,steumai, and evpisteu,qhn). In other words, we entrust our salvation into the hands of our Savior Jesus Christ; yet, Scripture reveals that God entrusts to us the gospel, the most glorious message in the world! So as we continue to think about The Gospel Trust, perhaps some of these passages would be some food for thought and meditation.
“On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised . . .”. Gal. 2:7
“but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thess. 2:4
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:18-19
“. . . in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.” 1 Tim. 1:11
“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you.” 1 Tim. 6:20
“By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” 2 Tim. 1:14
“and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Tim. 2:2
In this present time I’d have to say that there are more people aware of being entrusted with the Gospel than have a working clue what the Gospel even is. Some would say it’s the “hook” at the end of a Four Laws tract, a promise of eternal blessing in return for a moment spent reciting a prayer, or being baptised, taking Communion, or fulfilling other obligations. The way Paul handled the idea, we might say there’s a lot more good, and a lot more news, to the Good News than what we might be used to hearing. Not to sell some “new thing,” but can we live out what Jesus is calling us to, with just the latest trends and opinions?
Why should I trust you?
“But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.”
This is such a odd use of pisteuo, there are other words that could have been used, but this one means more than just a trust given, or a trust held, but it is the word to believe. It is then an amazing thing that the trust is not without the active empowerment of him who is “believing into us” the Gospel. Simply, amazing. It is not bare believing in something told to us, but it is the vital living word within us. That is worthy of Paul’s woe to me if I don’t.
This “odd use” reminds me of a connection. My OT prof points out that the Hebrew for “to hear” implies “to obey,” so that the one necessitates the other. James writes, “If any ..lack wisdom, ..let him ask ..in faith.” We hear all kinds of notions about what “in faith” (“?? ??????”) might mean, but the notion of faithfulness lends the most to the overall understanding of this passage: That we are willing to hear faithfully that is, to hear and obey. I have found a heart of willing, or eager, submission to the Word yields a whole different theology from a more objective or critical approach. Not, “How can I justify my views on this passage?” or “What does this tell us about the level of awareness in that culture,” but rather, “Here I am, send me.” Is this not,really, faith?
Can anyone from Southern or Boyce come to Band of bloggers 2008?
It is so refreshing to know that God entrusting us means that He is sufficient to help us in the task of spreading the good news.
in Him,
Devin Murphy
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Timmy, I looked for a “contact us” link but didn’t find one. How do I get in touch with you? You can e-mail me at koopstacochran@hotmail.com
McTim –
Any updates on registration of BoB yet? I’m working out my budget for the trip, and I want to make sure I don’t forget to get my ticket for BoB.
I would also love some updated information on this.
Thanks!
[...] the theme for this year’s meeting is “The Gospel Trust” (I have written briefly about this earlier). To set the stage, I would like to briefly share some thoughts about three areas for our [...]