Confident Faith

“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.”  (2 Tim. 1:12)  Paul was in prison.  He had been sentenced to death for preaching Christ.  He wanted to impart some last minute words of wisdom to his son in the faith, Timothy.  This is what he said to him, “I know Christ and I know that I am His now and forever.”  Paul was not shaking with fear.  He was confident with faith.  He had already told the Philippians that “to die is gain”, so he wasn’t living in dread of what awaited him.  What awaited him was Christ. 

For the next 300 years after Paul’s death there were massive persecutions against Christians for their faith.  Some were spread across the entire Roman Empire and some were more localized with fanatical anti-Christian governors venting their hatred of Christ.  What amazed the world was their reaction to being murdered for Christ’s sake.  Stories are told of people being converted while watching the martyrs sing their way into eternity.  They had confident faith. 

One thousand years later the cycle began again in earnest.  The followers of Wycliffe were persecuted in England.  The followers of Huss were persecuted in Czechoslovakia.  One hundred years later the western world was shaken by the teachings of Martin Luther and a full century and a half of persecution against Christians was launched.  The death and destruction of those years was enormous, but the singing that came out of them is rich in faith.  It is confident faith in a sure Redeemer.  It is the absolute confession of Paul, “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.”

One hymn of the Reformation that resonates with confidence in Christ is “Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense”.   It is dated shortly after the Thirty Years War that finally assured freedom for the Protestant faith in northern Europe.  Take hope in these words of confident faith.

Laugh to scorn the gloomy grave and at death no longer tremble;

He, the Lord, who came to save will at last His own assemble.

They will go their Lord to meet, treading death beneath their feet.  

You can contact me and find inspiring Christian books at my website: www.davidccraig.net

You may also find some of my selected daily devotions at http://blog.febc.org/

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