Not that I am immune from such thoughts today after putting
my trust in the Lord and walking with Him the last twenty years…but the
frequency and intensity of those thoughts pale so much in comparison today. Why?
The reason why I am so much less anxious these days, and so confident in my belief in Jesus and His Word, can be answered in the words of Paul, “I know whom I have believed.” (2 Timothy 1:12) and
that makes all the difference in the world.
Pastor Chuck Smith often said, “When we
say we have a difficult time trusting God what we mean is we really don’t know
Him because it is difficult to trust someone you don’t know.” Precept
Austin clarifies that the word “know” in “I know
who I have believed.” 2 Timothy 1:12 “signifies absolute, beyond a doubt
knowledge. This knowledge is not personal knowledge gained by experience, but knowledge of a Person Who he had found absolutely dependable in any
circumstance.”
I know the Person into whose hand I have committed my present condition, and my eternal destiny. I know Who he is, and I therefore, without any hesitation, leave myself in His hands. It is the beginning of spiritual life to believe Jesus Christ."
Spurgeon goes on to add that "Jesus was a distinct Person to the apostle, so real as to be known to him as a man knows a friend. Paul knew nobody else so well as he knew his Lord.”
Paul’s faith in Christ was fixed and
unmoving. Precept Austin explains the word “believed”, as it relates to “I know whom I have believed.” In this context belief means "to
consider something to be true and therefore worthy of one’s trust. To
accept as true, genuine, or real. To have a firm conviction as to the goodness,
efficacy, or ability of something or someone. To consider to be true. To accept
the word or evidence of.”
Finally, Gill shares, “A spiritual knowledge of Christ
is necessary to faith in Him: an unknown Christ cannot be the object of
faith... Knowledge and faith go together: they that truly know Christ, believe
in Him, and the more they know Him, the more strongly do they believe in Him.”
Knowing God does not need to be
difficult or complicated. He wants us
to know Him. He invites us to learn of Him. (Mathew 11:29) Here are
practical ways we can grow in the
knowledge of God, so like Paul, when our faith is tested we will boldly proclaim, “I know whom I
have believed.” 2 Tim. 1:12)
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