Our Gospel

Paul, much buffeted and persecuted, is sustained by faith, and by a sense of personal security in Christ Jesus.

The meaning which may be in the text:—the gospel deposited with Paul the Lord Jesus was able to keep until the judgment. This is well worthy of being explained. The gospel is safe in the care of Jesus.

Paul felt great comfort as the result of committing his soul to Jesus.

Let us consider—

I. WHAT HE HAD DONE.

Feeling the value of his soul, knowing its danger, conscious of his own weakness, believing in the grace and power of the Lord Jesus, he had placed his soul in his hands.

1. His soul’s case was there for Jesus to heal him as a Physician.

2. His soul’s calls were there to be supplied by Jesus as a Shepherd.

3. His soul’s course was there to be directed by Jesus as a Pilot.

4. His soul’s cause was there to be pleaded by Jesus as an Advocate.

5. His soul’s care was there to be guarded by Jesus as a Protector.

   • He had committed his soul to Jesus by an act of faith, which act he persevered in continually.

II. WHAT HE KNEW. “I know whom I have believed.”

He speaks not of believing in him, but of believing him,—a personal faith in a personal Savior. This trusted One he knew.

1. He knew the Lord Jesus by his personal meeting with him on the road to Damascus, and at other times.

2. By what he had read and heard concerning him, and made his own by meditation thereon.

3. By communion with him. This way is open to all the saints.

4. By experience, through which he had tried and proved his love and faithfulness. He had received a practical education, by which he was made to know his Lord by entering into the fellowship of his sufferings and death.

   • Have we this personal acquaintance with the Lord?
   • If so, we shall gladly commit our all to him.

III. WHAT HE WAS SURE OF. “That he is able to keep,” etc.

His assurance was reasonable and deliberate, hence he says, “I am persuaded.”

Our apostle was persuaded of—

1. The ability of Jesus to keep all souls committed to him.

   • He is divine, and therefore omnipotent to save.
   • His work is finished, so that he meets all the demands of the law.
   • His wisdom is perfect, so that he will ward off all dangers.
   • His plea is constant, and ever prevails to preserve his own

2. The ability of Jesus to keep Paul’s own soul.

3. The ability of Jesus to keep his soul under the heavy trials which were then pressing upon him. “I suffer … I am not ashamed, for I am persuaded that he is able to keep.”

4. The ability of Jesus to keep his soul even to the close of all things: “against that day.”

   • Of this Paul was persuaded. Be this our persuasion.
   • Many would persuade us to the contrary; but we know, and are not therefore to be persuaded into a doubt upon the matter.

IV. WHAT, THEREFORE, HE WAS.

1. Very cheerful. He had all the tone and air of a thoroughly happy man.

2. Very confident. Though a prisoner, he says, “I am not ashamed.” Neither of his condition, nor of the cause of Christ, nor of the cross, was he ashamed.

3. Very thankful. He gladly praised the Lord in whom he trusted.

   • The text is a confession of faith, or a form of adoration.

Let us seek more knowledge of our Lord, as the Keeper of our souls.

Let us be of that brave persuasion which trusts and is not afraid.

Instances And Illustrations

When Dr. James W. Alexander was dying, his wife sought to comfort him with precious words, as she quoted them to him: “I know in whom I have believed.” Dr. Alexander at once corrected her by saying, “Not in whom I have believed; but, ‘I know whom I have believed.’ ” He would not even suffer a little preposition to be between his soul and his Savior.

“I have lost that weary bondage of doubt, and almost despair, which chained me for so many years. I have the same sins and temptations as before, and I do not strive against them more than before, and it is often just as hard work. But whereas I could not before see why I should be saved, I cannot now see why I should not be saved if Christ died for sinners. On that word I take my stand, and rest there.”—F. R. Havergal.

Justyn Martyr was asked ironically by the Roman prefect if he believed that after his decapitation he would ascend to Heaven. He replied: “I am so sure of the grace which Jesus Christ has obtained for me, that not a shadow of doubt can enter my mind.”

Donald Cargill, on the scaffold, July 27th, 1681, as he handed his well-used Bible to one of his friends that stood near, gave this testimony: “I bless the Lord that these thirty years and more I have been at peace with God, and was never shaken loose of it. And now I am as sure of my interest in Christ, and peace with God, as all within this Bible and the Spirit of God can make me. And I am no more terrified at death, or afraid of Hell because of sin, than if I had never had sin: for all my sins are freely pardoned and washed thoroughly away through the precious blood and intercession of Jesus Christ.”

Faith, Hope, and Love were questioned what they thought

Of future glory, which religion taught:

Now Faith believed it firmly to be true,

And Hope expected so to find it, too:

Love answered, smiling, with a conscious glow,

“Believe? Expect? I know it to be so!”

—John Byrom.

A child that has any precious thing given him cannot better secure it than by putting it into his father’s hands to keep; so neither can we better provide for our souls’ safety than by committing them to God.

—John Trapp.