Know,Believe,Persuaded,Committed
I Know, I Believe, I’m Persuaded, I’m Committed
Right now there are millions of Christians all over the world. How many would be willing to be arrested and jailed for their faith? How many would be willing to suffer the ultimate penalty of death for being a Christian? We know that there are many in Africa, China and other parts of the world that are being put to death because of their faith. They have experienced something that causes them to place themselves in danger. They have run face first into something that changed them radically forever. They are willing to place themselves, their families, their entire material well-being on the line because of something. What could be worth all this trouble, all this terrible suffering and persecution? This something that is so valuable to them? Their faith in Jesus Christ. Our culture would call them a radical fringe, a bunch of lunatics, and even stupid and irresponsible.
Matthew 13:44 (NKJV) "“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
Matthew 13:45-46 (NKJV) "“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."
The Apostle Paul was one who was prepared to suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel. He was able to state with absolute conviction:
"For this reason 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 what I have committed to Him until that Day." [2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV]
If you don’t know the story of Paul, it is this:
Saul, a man set on a path, living his life by his experiences, by what he had learned. Led him to the point where he was killing Christians. He was a murderer. One day on the road to kill more, Jesus knocked him from horse
Many have made decisions for the Lord during a moment of emotional stirring or positive peer pressure, and that’s not to say that God can’t use that…but I will tell you that the kind of life change necessary to make a difference in today’s world is the kind of experience that comes from smashing into something that stops you in your tracks.
Illus- ever seen someone crash kisser first into a glass window or door?
Salvation is like that…it stops you in your tracks, it knocks you off your high horse, it dumps you onto your rump in a very undignified way…yet the difference is that when you get up, your life is changed forever. In fact, that glass door will become the most wonderful moment in your life. You will be eternally grateful for that one moment where your mug got smeared against a that window.
This is why salvation is not just a set of beliefs. It is an experience that wipes away all fear, doubts, hurts. Something that changes you forever, something that propels you to do great works for the Lord.
I have two moments that I hang onto. I was walking around believing all the right things, but not walking in obedience to that life. My life was out of control, until I smashed into something one night.
I know, I believe, I’m persuaded, I’m Committed!
It is Paul's fervor and persuasion that have inspired others over the centuries to commit to the Cause of Christ. He knew, he believed, he was persuaded and he was committed. There are many who don't know their own convictions and are unsure what they believe. The result is that they can be easily persuaded one way or the other. They aren't committed to anything, when instead they could be influential and persuasive.
Your convictions cannot be separated from the pattern of your life. Where and how you stand will set the course of your life. Paul went on to exhort and encourage Timothy: "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." [2 Timothy 1:13 NKJV]”
There are so many things that are drawing on your life as to who you should be. There are your own experiences, your parents, tv and the Mtv images, all these things competing and influencing your generation. The only thing that is going to make any kind of difference is if Christian teens live in such a way as to be separated, to be different, to be strong and passionate in their convictions.
I will not have sex before marriage!
I will not have get trapped into the slavery and bondage of drugs and alcohol!
I will get my focus off of myself and serve others!
I will go after my healing
I will forgive
I will inherit and posses the destiny that is on my life as a child of God
Why?! Because, I Know, I Believe, I’m Persuaded, and I’m Committed!
You wanna make a difference? Then you have to Be Different!