How valuable it would be for us in today’s world to be confident of who we are in Christ, confident of our salvation, and confident of God’s call upon us. Paul’s majestic declaration is more than words from an impulsive enthusiast. He offers a solid, mature acknowledgment of his foundation of faith during a time of great persecution for early believers. His fixed starting point for his Christian faith and spiritual bearings was founded in the confidence of knowing the heart, mind, method, and power of Jesus Christ. From this Paul proclaimed his message, passing on to young Timothy the responsibility of guarding the gospel. To know Christ was to love and serve Him.
These words hearten us, too. We find ourselves in our workplaces, neighborhoods, and families, unashamed, certain of who we are in Christ. “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life” (1 John 5:11-12). “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).