Friday October 3
But I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.
Paul sits chained in a Roman dungeon. Forgotten by many. Awaiting execution. Yet his heart is steady. His confidence unshaken. His voice unwavering. I am not ashamed. Why? Because his faith rests not on shifting circumstances… but on a steadfast Person. I know whom I have believed.
Notice his certainty. He does not say, “I hope.” He does not say, “I think.” He says, “I know.” This is personal. Experiential. Deep. Paul has walked with Christ through storms and trials. He has seen the Lord’s faithfulness in beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, betrayals. His knowledge of Christ is not theoretical. It is intimate. Proven. Unshakable.
And he is persuaded. Fully convinced. Not in his ability to hold on to Christ… but in Christ’s ability to hold on to him. He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day. The day of judgment. The day of glory. The day when every wrong will be made right. Christ will keep Paul’s soul. Christ will preserve the gospel deposit. Christ will vindicate His servants.
This is the secret of Paul’s courage. He knows Christ. He trusts Christ. He rests in Christ’s power to guard him. Chains cannot shake this. Threats cannot undo it. Death itself cannot overturn it.
Brother… Sister… Do you know whom you have believed? Not merely what you believe… but whom. Doctrine is vital. But doctrine points to a Person. The risen Christ. The faithful Saviour. The unchanging Lord.
Fix your eyes on Him. Walk closely with Him. Learn His faithfulness. Be persuaded of His power. Then you too will stand unashamed in the hour of testing.