Solid Foundation

Solid Foundation
Words of Faith 7-21-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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2 Timothy 2
[17b] Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, [18] who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. [19] Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his" and "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

One of the most challenging things we deal with is when someone we trust turns away from God. This sort of "defection" or "wandering from the truth" by those we once looked up to as believers and fellow workers for Christ can be devastating.
In the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus, the primary issue was a heresy so damaging that Paul had called it gangrene, a tissue death for the Body that spreads if not dealt with. The rebellion of Hymenaeus had been so severe that he was "turned over to Satan." For many, such a revelation will shake the foundations of their faith. When people we once looked to and trusted for guidance and leadership wander away from what is affirmed to be true, it rattles us more than a little bit.
But Paul sent some reassurance to the young pastor Timothy. No matter what has happened to some believers or leaders or how far they may have wandered or fallen, God's solid foundation stands firm. The solid foundation of God is unshakeable and unbreakable. It does not matter who falls or how many wander from the truth; we can stand firm on God because He is the solid bedrock of all our life and existence.
And Paul reveals that two inscriptions seal the foundation of God as authentic. First, "The Lord knows those who are His." God is not surprised by wandering or defections. Some will stray from the truth and yet will later be restored. There is great joy in such a situation. As James wrote: "My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20). Others are revealed as imposters who never were genuinely transformed by the Truth.
The other inscription that seals the foundation of God reads: "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." This is the fruit of genuine repentance. If we profess the Name of the Lord, we will turn away from wickedness. This is our hope for those who have wandered from the Truth.
Is there a situation that has broken your heart before God? We are grieved when people fall away, but we can trust in the surety of the foundation, which is God Himself. We can trust that He knows those that are His. And He will bring those who confess the name of the Lord to turn from wickedness in true repentance.

Father God, I lift to you those painful situations in the Body of Christ. I pray for those who have wandered away from You or rejected You completely after seeming to walk closely in Your light. Lord, bring these back to Your heart that they may repent genuinely and fully. Comfort the hearts of those who grieve intensely. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2023 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.