Monday, January 17, 2011

Encouragement and Conviction (2 Tim. 2:19)

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness."
(2 Timothy 2:19, NASB)

Encouragement and conviction in one short verse.

I’m encouraged by the reminder that God “knows those who are His.” He knew me before I was born. He intricately designed me. He knows even the numbers of hairs on my head. There is no where I can go where He is not with me and watching over me. (See Psalm 139; Matt. 10:28-32; Luke 12:5-8.)

I am blessed beyond measure to know such a loving, gracious God!

I’m convicted when I ask myself if I always “abstain from wickedness.” I want so badly to be Christ-like. I want to please my Father in all ways and at all times. I want to avoid those “works of the flesh” (Gal. 5:19-21). I don’t want to be prideful, and I want to say and think only good things (Phil. 4:8).

Oh, I want these things, but how often do I fail … and yet, I am blessed beyond measure to know such a loving, gracious God!!

Not only does He intimately know me, but He also loves me enough to want to change me, to refine me. The Holy Spirit works in me to keep my heart and mind on things that please God. I am showered with God’s grace and mercy.

Even when I do fail, I know I can go to my Father and confess my sin. And His love and grace forgets that sin “as far as the east is from the west” (Ps. 103:12).

Hmmm … How wonderful! Even the conviction encourages!

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