I Know Whom I Have Believed

When we go about making decisions in our lives, it is good to have confidence that we have made the right choices.  That is certainly true when it comes to spiritual decisions.  While there may be repercussions for making the wrong choices in secular matters, the consequence of making the wrong choices in spiritual matters is everlasting.  That being said, let us notice the certainty that Paul had when it came to his spiritual decisions.

            Near the end of his physical life, Paul, by inspiration, wrote a final letter to his friend and “son in the faith”, Timothy.  He encouraged Timothy, “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner:  but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:  Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles” (2 Tim. 1:8-11).  As Paul revealed, when he wrote the letter, he was at that time a “prisoner”.  Not just a regular inmate, but instead, Paul was condemned to die.  He wrote, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:  and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:6-8).  Yet, even with death so near, Paul’s spiritual confidence is an encouragement to all children of God.  Here is a man with absolutely no doubt as to his his future.  He did not write of his salvation as if it were in doubt.  Instead, he mentioned that his “crown” was definite.  He knew that he had been faithful to the Lord, and as such, he had every right to be sure.  Jesus revealed, “”Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer:  behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days:  be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death” (Rev. 2:10-11).  That assurance was a blessing to Paul as his execution drew closer.  He knew that every thing that he had endured as a Christian was worth it.  He even reminded Timothy, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured:  but out of them all the Lord delivered me” (2 Tim. 3:10-11).  Keep in mind the list of things mentioned in the book of Second Corinthians that he suffered.  “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness” (2 Cor. 11:23-27).  This man truly had been willing to give his life to the Lord.  As he begged the brethren in Rome to “…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). Not only did he write it, but Paul also lived it.

            Through all of the pain and difficulties, Paul did not waver.  He could see the finish line, and he was going to cross it.  In fact, his faithfulness was directly tied to his knowledge.  He stated, “For the which cause 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 that which I committed unto him against that day” (2 Tim. 1:12).  Paul knew that he had made the correct choices in spiritual matters!  As such, he had nothing to fear.  Friend, you can have that same confidence.  If you, like Paul, obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and remain faithful, then you will be one of the victors to receive a crown.  As John wrote, you can be sure of your salvation.  “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13).
~ Corey Barnette