I Am Persuaded

Love's Work - Acts 26:26 says, "For the knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner."



Paul was appealing to the facts - people were still alive who had heard Jesus and seen his miracles; the empty tomb could still be seen; and the Christian message was turning the world upside down (17:6). The history of Jesus' life and the early church are facts that are still open for us to examine. We still will have eye witness accounts of Jesus' life in the Bible as well as historical and archaeological records of the early church to study. Examine the events and facts as verified by many witnesses. Reconfirm your faith with the truth of these accounts.



Love's Tenacity - Rom 8:38 says, " For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,"



"Principalities" and "powers" are unseen forces of evil in the universe. These are Satan and his fallen angels (see Eph 6:12). In Christ we are super-conquerors, and his love will protect us from any such forces.



Love's Preservation - 2 Tim 1:12 says, "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for 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."



Paul was in prison, but that did not stop his ministry. He carried it own through others like Timothy. Paul had lost all his material possessions, but he would never lose his faith. He trusted God to use him regardless of his circumstances. If your situation looks bleak, give your concerns to Christ. He will guard your faith and safely guard all you have entrusted to him until the day of his return.



The phrase "keep that which I have committed unto him" has three main interpretations: (1) Paul knew God would guard the souls of those converted through his preaching. (2) he trusted God to guard his own soul until the second coming; or (3) he was confident that, though he was in prison and facing death, God would carry out the Gospel ministry through others such as Timothy. Paul may have expressed his confidence to encourage Timothy, who was discouraged by the problems in Ephesus and fearful of persecution. Even in prison, Paul knew God was still in control.

Does God have control of your life?