Are You Persuaded?

“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 have committed unto Him against that day.”  II Timothy 1:12

It is one thing to confess one’s sins, repent of them, and place one’s faith in Jesus Christ, but it is a whole different level to realize that one’s decision for Christ is a lifelong commitment and a new way of life.  Some folks think that being saved is basically receiving a “get out of hell” card, and, while it is true that a truly born-again believer will not spend eternity in hell, but rather with the Lord in His paradise home, following Christ is so much more than what happens after death.  That is one reason that it is preferable to receive Christ at a young age, although, any age is good to know that one’s sins are forgiven, better late than never, as they say.  When a young person receives Christ, he or she will avoid some trouble down the road.  Of course, everyone experiences trouble, even the most dedicated Christian, but there are some situations that occur that the believer will know automatically how to respond.  If someone tries to talk a believer into doing something that the believer knows is wrong, he or she should be able to bow out gracefully, although, he or she may be ridiculed.  Chicken!  Cluck, cluck, I say.  As for me, I had rather suffer ridicule for not going along with the crowd than suffer guilt for doing something that I knew was wrong.

Paul suffered ridicule, beatings, shipwrecks, and attempts on his life, but he did not suffer shame for doing the right thing.  It was for preaching that one must repent of sin, put his or her trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, commit one’s entire life to Him, and stop trying to justify oneself through works that Paul suffered at the hands of those who didn’t want to hear the gospel.  Generally speaking, people do not like to be reminded that they are sinners.  Most unsaved people think that they are pretty good folks.  The general consensus is that if their good works outweigh their sins, then they are a “shoo-in” for heaven.  The problem is they are using the wrong standard whereby to measure themselves.  They remind me of the man who spent years climbing the so-called “ladder of success” only to find out his ladder was against the wrong building!  I can’t really imagine what it would be like to think that one’s works were good enough only to die, stand before God, and find out he or she was wrong all of his or her life.

Paul was not ashamed to boldly proclaim the gospel for he knew it was the truth of God.  He was more than confident that Jesus, as the Son of God, died for his sins and the sins of the entire world and was more than capable of keeping Paul in his commitment to Christ regardless of the persecution and opposition of all those controlled by Satan.  Paul and all those since his time on earth who boldly proclaim the gospel, both preachers and all believers who are not afraid to stand for Christ, will be vindicated to the entire world when Christ returns to banish evil and set up His kingdom.  Those who have died without Christ and those who will die without His blood covering their sins will discover upon death that the preacher or the little old Christian lady who tried to warn them of the consequences of rejecting Christ will not have to wait until Jesus returns before discovering the truth.  However, there are no “do overs”.

Paul, as he addressed his young preacher friend, Timothy, urged him to hold fast, that is grasp and hold tightly in his heart and mind and never let go the words of truth, the words that are solid, stable, flawless, and eternally correct of the faith and love which is in Jesus Christ.  How else could Jesus have suffered so and died an excruciatingly painful death if he didn’t have faith in His own Father, love for His Father, love for all men and women across the globe, and a deep desire to obey His Father?  That gospel message of faith, love, peace, and joy of which believers have had safely and soundly placed and kept by the indwelling Holy Spirit within their hearts is one of the most precious possessions of the believer.  It is a trust committed to the Christian and must be kept pure and honest and the truth of it passed down to the next generation of believers.  Christians are responsible for sharing the truth of the gospel with others, and the Holy Spirit guides in that endeavor.

God is real.  Jesus Christ is real.  Heaven is real and so is hell.  All men and women will be held accountable.  Those who have repented and trusted Christ will not be judged.  Their sins were judged at the cross.  All those who reject Christ will be judged by God and sentenced to an eternity of misery.  A life spent in following the Lord is the best life that someone can have.  A life lived for oneself is a life without hope.  Convinced?  Seems like a “no brainer” to me.