I’ve been reading a book titled The Cure for Insomnia: Preaching that won’t put people to sleep by Ken Hensley (available on Kindle), and the author quoted this verse from Titus 1:3, “And at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior” (ESV).
A similar statement is made in I Timothy 1:11, “In accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.” In both of these verses the KJV uses the word “committed” which, while not necessarily a bad translation, disguises the fact that the Greek word is from the “pistis” family, the word usually translated “faith” or “trust”. So in the two verses quoted above the ESV and many other recent translations prefer to use the word “entrusted”.
“Entrusted” is to me a stronger word, as it implies that God has demonstrated His trust in me by giving to me the message of grace in the gospel. There was no time limit from God on how long I should teach this message, and when I asked one believer when retirement started to kick in, he replied, “When you get to heaven!” And I think he’s probably right. It has been 56 years already and I still keep teaching it.
As one Christian TV personality says, “If I were God I wouldn’t have picked me.” Two amens to that one! This weekend we’re farewelling a young family going to Uganda for a year of ministry, and the young man (most people are “young” from where I sit) said he was thankful that God used a tradie like him to share the Word. A “tradie” is an Australian abbreviation for a tradesman, a manual worker like a plumber, carpenter, tile layer, etc.
What has God entrusted you with? Plenty, as it turns out. You are to blossom where you are planted, you are to give a reason for the hope that is within you, you are to edify (build up) your fellow believers. And that is just a few tasks the Word says are your responsibility. God has faith in you, and you can do it!
I think I like the term “pistis” family. I am excited that I belong to the Pistis Family because believing God’s Word is a family tradition that we’re trying to keep alive here in Walnut Creek. All in all, it’s the only way to please my Father.
“What has God entrusted you with? Plenty, as it turns out. You are to blossom where you are planted, you are to give a reason for the hope that is within you, you are to edify (build up) your fellow believers. And that is just a few tasks the Word says are your responsibility. God has faith in you, and you can do it!”
I concur….Amen.
An anointing… the Holy Spirit revealed this to me today also, we are in accordance and harmony. Gods Plans are happening, it’s real, it’s lovely, its a Jugger-naught in motion, imperceivably moving to an epitome.