That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. 2 Timothy 1:12
Paul has just encouraged Timothy to join in his suffering and explained what his (Paul) role has been in "all of this." He has explained that the grace we receive is that which was bestowed by God before we were even born, as was the plan. Verse 10 says, "but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus,who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." It was important to remind Timothy to disregard the societal idea that one suffers in this life because one has offended God and therefore needs to ashamed. Paul needed to make that clear because he identified in his suffering with Christ who obviously could never offend God - it was, in fact, the plan.
So, what is it that Paul has become convinced of that God is keeping guarded until "that day"? For Paul, it is his salvation, it is the preservation of his life lived here on earth, it is the ability to fulfill the ministry and mission God has called him to, it is the leading of the Holy Spirit. Paul was very sure that all of this and more was secure because he knew in whom he had believed. Have a look at this greek: "Know" (ginō´skō, - STRONGS: 1097) Pronounced:
It's no secret that Paul wanted more that an intellectual knowledge of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He wanted "ginosko". "That's great," you say - but what is it? Ginosko is a knowledge that is personal, relational, and intimate. "I know that guy, I went to school with him, I know who he is," you might say of someone. But Paul had an unusual encounter with God on the road to Damascus - he got saved - which changed everything. He had at that moment begun a life journey which led to him really knowing the living God!
So, what about us? Is our desire so strong to know God on a level greater that knowing facts and stories about Him, that we would trust Him convinced that He really does "got this" (bad grammar)? Have we given Him our all to guard until that day when the life we've lived for Him is redeemed in glorious splendor? Hmm, only each of us individually can answer that...
- Pray that you would seek to prioritize you relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit above all else.
- Pray that others who don't know Jesus would be saved so that they can know Him.
- Pray that there might be an opportunity to tell someone what you ginosko about Jesus.