Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
II Timothy 1:13 NKJV
Paul taught his spiritual son to remain loyal to the teachings he received about the finished work of Christ.
He gave an example through his own life of how he had to face persecutions, go through hardship, beaten, shamed and accused for teaching and preaching the truth.
Paul's encouragement to Timothy is to hold fast to the pattern. In Greek, the pattern means an outline, a model for imitating, or to produce an exact copy.
That pattern is Christ, who laid for all believers a foundation to live from. Conforming our minds, hearts, and strength to a new person that we have become in Christ.
Paul encouraged Timothy to hold fast, knowing that it is an important part of living the new life he has received in Christ.
Are we holding fast to what Christ has laid for us?
Are we following the pattern that reflects Christlikeness?
To walk as a successful new creation, we need to know the pattern Christ has laid for us. If we don't know what was laid, how are we to follow?
We need to be diligent to know God, diligent to search the Scriptures so that we can see the plans and purposes of God for our lives.
Let us hold fast to the foundation Jesus has laid and build our lives by following the pattern that shines His love.
Live in the blessings,
Ps Ambrose