Delighted to have faith in Christ

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News. That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return. (2 Timothy 1:8-12)

The apostle Paul’s declaration of his certainty in his belief stood in stark contrast with the relativism that exists in the society. Culture today is filled with unbelief and uncertainties. Paul here expressed his confidence in his belief. Once you make a stand in a certain matter during these days, immediately you will be branded as intolerant. Or you will be accused of “unenlightened” and “shallow-minded.” There is a claim that what is true for you might not be true for others. Paul’s declaration when he said, “I know,” provides us that we can be confident in our belief. Once we know the real source and foundation of our faith, we could stand strong in our conviction. In knowing who is the object of our faith will help us gain stability and we will not be shaken in times of uncertainties. “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock” (Matthew 7:24). Paul’s faith was established by having faith in Christ. It is based upon knowledge as a result of a personal relationship with Christ. He realized that he is not deserving of this relationship with Christ and yet Christ made it possible through His death on the cross; it was undeserving yet given by God because of His grace. When we know who we believe and we are confident about our conviction, we will not be ashamed. To be ashamed about our relationship with Christ has a distressing consequence. “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels” (Luke 9:26). So don’t be ashamed of your relationship with Christ for there is a great reward that awaits those whose life is placed in His Hand. “But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return” (2 Timothy 1:12).

Blessings

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com