Here is a dictionary definition for the word “entrusted” as a verb:  assign the responsibility for doing something to (someone).  This is exactly what God has done for every believer.  We’ve been entrusted to do something to someone for someone else.  Also notice we have been approved by God to do this.  That’s a past-tense truth. 

When you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, you were automatically approved to represent the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to the world. By the fact that the Holy Spirit now lives inside each Christian, we have all become approved to be entrusted with the most awesome, precious and perfect truth – the gospel! 

What does it mean to be entrusted in the Bible?  According to stewardshiplibrary.com’s ”ENTRUST TO FAITHFUL MEN” article, it literally means “to make a deposit or place goods in trust with another.  

There are two assumptions here:  (1) Whatever is deposited, or placed in trust with another, is valuable enough to be watched, guarded, and cared for by another, and (2) The person making the deposit, or placing the property in trust, sufficiently trusts the other person to preserve and protect it. 

No doubt the Christian message is valuable enough; the question is whether the trustee is responsible enough?” 

When we stop and consider what’s at stake for each person beyond this life, its absolutely amazing to me that God, by choice, has chosen to limit His evangelistic activity on earth to partnership with people like you me!  When someone dies, their spirit goes up or it goes down, and whichever way it goes, it goes forever. 

That’s wonderful beyond words for those who have made Jesus Lord and Savior, but on the other hand, imagine descending into hell (Hades) to suffer unspeakable suffering and torment there, only to await the Great White Throne judgment, where because you’re pronounced guilty, you’re thrown into the lake of fire – with no hope of ever getting out!  No hope!  

…that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  Ephesians 2:12.  

When an unbeliever dies, they enter into an eternity of endless pain and suffering beyond description.  And to think our God entrusts us with the only message that can prevent this terrible catastrophe from happening.  In John 14:6, Jesus said it as plainly as it could be stated:  I am the way, the truth and the life, nobody comes to the Father except through me. 

The only ones authorized, approved and qualified by God to represent Jesus in this world are Christians.  No one else.   That makes being entrusted with the gospel the greatest honor we could ever be given. 

So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God. Acts 10:33. 

Take time to meditate on this statement, made by an unsaved man who is about to have his eternal destiny reversed by the gospel message he and his whole household will hear. Hear from whom? A believer – like you and me. 

We’ll meet Cornelius and his household someday in heaven – all because one man obeyed God and made himself available to be used to share the gospel with these people. Can there be any greater honor? No. This is it. 

Being entrusted with the gospel is not only the greatest honor available to believers, its also the greatest responsibility.  When I read chapters like Ezekiel 3 and 33, I shudder to think of what level of responsibility God has laid at our feet.  We’d be wise to stop and consider such things! 

I don’t want the blood of sinners on my hands when I stand before Jesus on judgment day, and I’m sure you don’t either.  Acts 22:10 tells us that all things were appointed by God for Paul to do in ministry.  That applies to us today as well.  Other translations of that verse use the word arranged instead of appointed. 

I like that rendering better.  All things have been arranged by God for us to do.  To do what?  Fulfill the Great Commission of Mark 16:15-18 and Matthew 28:18-20.  Those commands have been given, and they will never be altered or rescinded. 

In last month’s CHRISTIAN SOLDIER, we looked at how God arranged everything so that Peter could end up in Cornelious’ house to preach the gospel to a group up of unsaved but spiritually hungry Gentiles. That same plan of action is still in play today. We do what we can, and God does what we can’t. 

He is the One who gave us this honor and responsibility, so He also knows how to arrange all the pieces of the puzzle, so-to-speak, to put us where we need to be, when we need to be there.  

Notice what Paul also tells the Thessalonians.  Not only are we approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, the final few words of 1 Thessalonians 2:4 says even so we speak.  That’s what we do.  That’s our responsibility.  We share the word of God. We speak forth the truth to people.  We tell them whether they believe it or not, whether they like it or not, and whether we want to or not!  

For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.  1 Corinthians 9:17.

 

Our feelings in this matter don’t count.  The command has been given, and we must obey.  Period.  No excuses and no delays!  We have become stewards of the gospel – entrusted by God to share it wherever and whenever we’re told to.

…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 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)

We’re also told to find faithful men who understand the honor and responsibility of being entrusted with the gospel.  This should be our criteria for meaningful relationships within the ranks of Christian soldiers (2 Timothy 2:3-4). 

We can, and should, love every believer no matter what.  But when picking and choosing Christians for friendship and fellowship, make sure they understand and live by what we are talking about here. 

If not, love them from a distance, and continue looking for other faithful men and women who know what it means to be a steward of the gospel. 

First Thessalonians 2:4 also reminds us that we do these things to please God, and nobody else. The opinions of the people around us should never determine what we say or do for Jesus. 

Sometimes, Christians need to be reminded that we’re not supposed to be friends with everyone. We’re not here to be popular, and live lives of ease and comfort. We’re here to please God, following the example of our Lord Jesus Himself (Matthew 3:17/17:5). 

We’ll talk more about the honor and responsibility of trust in part 3 of this Bible Study. Until then, follow the exhortation Peter gave to his disciples and for us today, as end-times, last-days ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthains 5:20). 

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13. 

As people like to tell us when we can’t seem to get our act together: Focus!  Get your head on straight!  No better time for that than now!