"For the which cause 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 that which I have committed unto Him against that day." - 2 Timothy 1:12
Most Christ followers are familiar with the above Scripture. It is a strong testimony to the faith of the apostle Paul.
Following is a beautiful hymn based on the above verse:
You may be familiar with the writings of Andrew Murray, who was a South African preacher and author and lived from 1828 to 1917. Following is a 36 minute audio sermon by Murray which discusses 2 Timothy 1:12 as well as many other spiritual gems that you will benefit from:
In the above sermon, Andrew Murray explains the importance of the Holy Spirit - how it is essential to living effectively as a believer. He tells us that "we need Christ every moment of everyday!" Murray also discusses the apostle Paul and how Paul gave himself wholly to Jesus. As Murray says, "We need Jesus to help us to keep on going, ....... and asks the question if we have given up everything we have into the keeping of Jesus ."
Just a reminder, God and Jesus... when they tell us something to do or not to do, it is NOT advisory, as if we can pick and choose which to obey and which not to obey. We should obey always ! Dr. Charles Stanley often says "Obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him."
No one can "have the Holy Spirit within them" unless they are truly born again (a spiritual rebirth from the Lord). In other words, by believing with all of your very being that Jesus is the Savior, whose redemptive work on the cross .... His shed blood... His sacrifice to pay our sin debt in full.. all that can save us and wash our sins away... wipe the slate clean and save us for eternal life. Just believe in Jesus as the Savior. This is not intellectual knowledge; it is a true faith with all your heart and soul and your very being that Jesus is indeed the one known as the Christ, the Redeemer, the Son of God and, again, the Savior... the only way to heaven.
Concerning the Holy Spirit, following are some words of Jesus:
"And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever." - John 14:16
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost [ Holy Spirit] Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." - John 14:26
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you." - John 16:7
As stated in previous posts here, over and over again this blog has stressed the importance of being in God's Holy Word the Bible on a daily basis, as well as to pray without ceasing, (1 Thessalonians 5:17). That is the only way a person will be able to develop a close, intimate, personal, and loving relationship with God through Jesus Christ. You cannot get to know anyone if you never communicate with them! The same is true when it comes to the good Lord, of course. God loves us and desires to fellowship with us.
If you have never repented of your sins and asked God for forgiveness and turned to Jesus with a longing to know Him, the Savior - then please do so now! It is childlike simple: simply believe in Christ and that He alone is the Savior and the way to the Father and to heaven. You need to realize that you are indeed a sinner and in need of a Savior !
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:23
Following are some Scriptures for the unbeliever:
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 explains the Gospel: "Moreover brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures."
"Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Jesus will return soon to take true believers to heaven. Will you be ready ?
