“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.
For quality inspirational, educational, and
fictional Christian books visit www.davidccraig.net
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