December 16, 2017

Are We Persuaded Yet?

 “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day.”  2 Tim. 1:12

Let’s take a closer look at the power of these words written by Paul to his precious son in the faith, Timothy.

 For this reason:  the reason is the gospel; Christ!  He alone is our reason, our answer.

I have suffering:  Paul had experienced the “fellowship of His sufferings,” and “knew the power of His resurrection” according to Phil. 3:10.  He was encouraging young Timothy to prepare for the same kind of experience.

I am not ashamed:  for we are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

I know:  We perceive, we see, we hear!  We understand in our spirits.

Whom I have believed:  JESUS!  In Him we trust.

I am persuaded:  We are convinced; Truth has brought us over to His side.

He is able:  Not us, but our Savior – He is able!

To keep: To hold it, watch it, care for it.

What I have committed to Him:  all we have given to Jesus, released to Him – He cares for it.

Until that DAY – of His glorious appearing! 

 Are we persuaded yet?  Paul is telling Timothy, his spiritual son that he believes and has been persuaded that Jesus will keep all that Paul has given to his Savior.  And so Paul is not ashamed, even in this suffering until death that he faced when he wrote this letter to Timothy.  He is not ashamed because he knows.  He knows.  He knows. 

 Are we persuaded yet?  The enemy seeks to dissuade us, tell us otherwise.  He is a defeated enemy.  The world would have us still seeking evidence before we might believe – more and more; an endless quest.  Yet we walk by faith, not by sight. 

Are we persuaded yet?  Have we committed all things to Him?  Is there anything we are holding onto, that might hamper our persuasion?  Do we believe God’s word for our life? 

We trade WHAT for WHOM; for it is not what we have believed, but WHOM we have believed.  Today God, we commit IT (whatever it is in our lives) unto You.  We believe You for Your word; that You shall keep it.  We want You to care for it, for him, for us.  We confess that there may be some things holding us back from being fully persuaded.  We ask for Your forgiveness, Father, and we ask You to persuade us.  Persuade us.   We agree You are able.  You are able.  When suffering comes, we commit it to You, for You are able.  And we are not ashamed of the Gospel.  We are not ashamed of You, Jesus.  We embrace You and call You by Name.