I know whom I believe

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)

From the text, Paul expressed his confidence in his belief that Jesus Christ is the Savior. Such conviction is in stark contrast to what our culture calls “religious pluralism;” co-exist with every religious belief without causing someone be offended by taking a stand. Or else you are “intolerant,” “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 the one in whom I trust” provides us an encouragement that just like him, 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 so we will not be shaken by 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 founded upon in having faith in Christ alone. It is based upon knowledge because we made a decision to have a personal relationship with Christ. Paul’s challenge to Timothy to not be ashamed of his faith in Christ is the same challenge we have. When you know whom you believe and you are confident about your conviction, you will not be ashamed. To be ashamed about your 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). There is only one who made the claim; “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). And that name is “Jesus.” Stand by that faith even if it means to suffer with Paul and others who have the same conviction. After all, Jesus foretold the same to His disciples. “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world” (John 15:18-19).

Blessings,

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com