Jump Start # 316

2 Timothy 1:12 “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”

  I know. I am convinced. Those are two key expressions from this verse that the apostle Paul wrote. You’ll also see here: I suffer; I am not ashamed; I have entrusted. Six times in this one sentence Paul refers to himself. He is not bragging, nor is the emphasis about him, but rather what Christ is doing for him. Paul’s faith was personal, real and very much a part of his life.

  Let’s focus upon the two key phrases:

  I know. This is more than intellect. It is more than memorizing facts. This realization is what gave him the confidence. It is what kept him from being ashamed. I know. I know Christ. I know what He wants. I know the outcome.

  Paul’s faith was solid, like concrete. It wasn’t like the weather, that is always changing. Some are like that. Inside a church building, they are rock solid. Out by themselves, they are not so sure. With questionable friends, they act like they don’t believe. Vacillating. Compromising. Changing. Shifting. Tossed to and fro. A show comes on TV declaring that scientists have proven that angels are myths and suddenly they don’t know. Another show declares that the stories of the Bible are borrowed fables of ancient times. Doubt arises. Friends tell them that God is loving. He couldn’t send anyone to Hell. Confusion takes over. They still go to church services but their faith is on shaky ground. A strong wind will blow them over. 

  This is not the description of Paul. He knew. He was convinced. He was not ashamed. Sure he was an apostle, but he told the Ephesians that when they read what he wrote, they would know the insights that he had. His faith was founded upon the word of God. The Bible is true, always. TV shows are trying to debunk the Bible. For years, modern man has tried to disprove the Bible. Can’t be done. Will never be done. How do you know? Because it’s from God. Historically accurate, prophecies fulfilled, unity of theme and purpose all point to God. Man can’t agree on who shot Kennedy. Ask the experts why the South lost the Civil War and you’ll get dozens of different answers. We can’t even get our politicians to agree—on the state level or the national level. So how did the Bible, written over a period of 1500 years, on three different continents, in three different languages, involving over 40 people, many who never knew, communicated nor met each other, tell the complete story of Jesus? Only God can do that!

  Paul knew. Paul knew what was right. Paul did get confused when he met with stoics or philosophers or Greeks. Paul didn’t compromise when he was with Jews. He knew. He knew God. He knew the book.

 To have such confidence, our second, key principle here, makes all the difference in the world. This confidence moves you to do what God wants you to do. It answers questions. It defeats speculations and error. You know and you so live. You know what is right. You know what you should do—and you do it. When challenged, it is to the Bible you go. When questioned, it is to the Bible you find the answers.

  What a difference it is to be a people of the book. To have assurance, confidence and hope that is founded upon Jesus Christ. How do you get that? There is no short cut. Open the Bible. Spend time with the Bible. Read. Look at words. Put things together. Think. Learn. You gotta turn the TV off to do this. You gotta spend some time to do this. But stay at it. Work at it. You’ll see. You’ll learn. You’ll know.

  Is it any wonder at the end of 2 Timothy, Paul knew where he was headed after death. He was certain. How could that be? He knew. He had confidence. God tells us. You can know. You can have that assurance. Faith grows and grows and it affects all that you are.

  I know…I am convinced. How about you?

Roger