HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD
“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” Titus 1:9
Paul’s instruction to Titus regarding the ordination of pastors is timely for our day. They were to be men who were capable of “holding fast the faithful word.” Pastors, also referred to in the New Testament as bishops or elders, must be grounded in the Word of God and able to resist temptations to compromise the principles and commands of the Scriptures. Paul refers to the words of the Scripture as the “faithful word.” God’s Word can be trusted. It has not changed, and it will not change. It is forever “settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89).
We are witnessing rampant attacks upon the Word of God and blasphemous attempts to change the Holy Bible. The truth will remain because its preservation has been promised in the pages of Scripture. The words, “as he hath been taught,” remind us of the importance of teaching and training as far as doctrine is concerned. We cannot hold fast the Word of God if we are not instructed and strongly convinced of its message.
Churches of the New Testament are identified as being pillars and grounds of the truth. The Lord’s churches are to hold to the truth, teach and preach the truth, and spread the truth to our needy world. Unfortunately, there are so many places that claim the title of church where the Bible has little place or influence. This is a sad testimony of the state of religion in our society. People need to be taught the Word of God.
How can we stand against error unless we are equipped with the sound doctrines of the Bible? What does the Bible mean when it refers to our responsibility of “holding fast” to God’s holy truth? We are exhorted to hold on to the words of Scripture because there will be forces determined to loosen the grip God’s servants have on the Word of God. The devil wants to steal the Word of God from the hearts of listeners, as Jesus taught in the Gospels. The enemy is always attempting to erode our faith in God and undermine the authority of the Bible.
We must hold fast against the currents of compromise and the liberal tendencies that are so prevalent. We must tighten our grip on the pure doctrines of God’s Word, and refuse to be swept away by deception and false doctrine, “holding fast the faithful Word.”