THE CHRISTIAN ASSURANCE
By F. R. W. Kimberley

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:11-12: “Where unto I am appointed a preacher and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know who I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

This is the full Christian assurance. Do YOU subscribe to this life policy?

One verse covers this life and the life beyond and no other written document offers or promises so much.

I know — a PERSONAL knowledge.

Whom — A PERSONAL Saviour.

I have believed — a PERSONAL faith.

I am persuaded — a PERSONAL conviction.

I have committed — a PERSONAL commitment.

Against that day — a PERSONAL hope.

I know. We do not have perfect knowledge, but only know in part, and as we grow older we realize how little we know; in every sphere and particularly in Christian experience. Although perfect knowledge is denied us in this life, we are exhorted to grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Saviour. Jesus prayed for His people, ‘That they might know Thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom Thou didst send.’ THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL.

To know God personally. Can we bring the realization of the existence of God into our everyday life? Is God real to you and me? Is He watching over us, caring for us, protecting us and teaching us by His Word that the best is yet to be? Paul taught us to say with him, “I am not ashamed because I KNOW.”

Whom. “I know WHOM.” — a PERSON — a personal Saviour — HUMAN and DIVINE. Paul’s knowledge was of Jesus and this verse applies to Him. WHOM? He who was ‘made flesh and dwelt among us.’ That wonderful earthly life which captured the hearts of men and women, making them His followers and friends even before they understood His teaching. Paul said, ‘I know WHOM’. What do WE know of Him? He lived and worked in Nazareth for thirty years and His short ministry was filled with human service. Can we in our limited way be like Him — giving something to a needy world — being a little kinder? No one can be too kind — love is of God.

I have believed. Paul put knowledge first because faith needs at least elementary knowledge. A knowledge of Jesus leads to belief or rejection. To believe is to have faith — a PERSONAL FAITH. It leads to trust and Christian experience, for whilst it brings added responsibilities, it gives a divine attribute to human life and a belief in God’s purpose for the world and the individuals. Jesus should be the centre of our faith and love.

1 am persuaded. After a life of service Paul passed on to us not only an assurance of knowledge and faith, but also a conviction and confidence in the power of Jesus. He wrote to the Philippians: “Being confident of this very thing that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the Day of Jesus Christ.” 1 John 5:14 reads: “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us.” This note of conviction is a marked step in Christian experience but must not be regarded as the terminus. In Paul’s day the more noble were those who searched the Scriptures daily. Should we do less?

He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him. A personal commitment, meaning here the act of entrusting. David spoke of personal commitment, “Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Paul gave up his hope of a family life and suffered privation and persecution in exchange for trust and certainty that his commitment to Jesus would be kept through life and for eternity. He says in 2 Tim. 4:18: “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve ME unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever.” How much of our lives have been committed to Christ? Can we reasonably expect Him to know us when He has so small a part of our lives? We may fail Him, but He will never fail us. First we must commit — then He will keep.

Against that day. A personal hope. The second advent has always been the hope of true believers. The Saviour’s parting promise, that He would come again, sustained His disciples even through times of persecution. In my generation this teaching has been neglected, only to be revived during wars and periods of unrest. We should look again at the words of Habakkuk 2:14: “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Then there is Acts 1:11: “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven.”

F. R. W. Kimberley, longtime teacher and preacher in the Church of Christ in England and Canada, made his living as a sheet metal worker. Now 80, he is paralyzed as a result of a stroke in 1970 and is hospitalized. His daughter has permitted us to publish the above from his pen, written years ago and reflective of his life of faith. He may be written at 1334 Cawthra Rd., Misssissauga, Ontario, Canada.