PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Tim. 1:12

Morning Meditation 1/17/2013

"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."

Paul says, “I know whom I have believed.” There is a great difference in knowing about Christ and knowing Him.

Paul had heard about Christ and hated Him. But once he met Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul's life was completely turned around. One of the greatest Apostles came out of that experience that day. I can just hear Paul saying, “I've heard the testimonies of those who claimed to be Christians. I watched Stephen. I was impressed but no where near being converted. That was out of the question. However, I have completely changed my mind because He appeared to me personally on the road to Damascus. He called me by name. When He did this I fell on my face and acknowledged Him as Lord.”

We ask people Have you been saved. Do you know Christ as a personal Saviour. A lot of so-called Christians do not know Christ. He is a personal Saviour who has invited us to become His child by the new birth.

A skilled physician, who was about to perform a delicate operation on a patient's ear, said, I may hurt you but I will not injure you.

The great physician speaks to us that same message when He uses the knife to cut away that which is retarding our productivity.

I can't emphasize this too much. Salvation is a personal matter between you and God. He loves you and wants to save you. You must exercise you volition and make a decision to receive Him on His terms.

The first step in knowing Him is repentance. No one can skip the doctrine of repentance. Just a few proof texts:

1. Repentance is a foundational doctrine. Some think that if they repent on just one occasion that that is enough. Repentance is an attitude that will stay with us until the rapture. Jesus told us in Luke 3:8, “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.”

2. Repentance is for the sinner; “Jesus said Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10). He says that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

3. "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

4. Repentance is mental attitude that accepts that we can do nothing to merit our salvation; we are objects of Satan's kingdom, and grace has put his loving arms under us and around us. Christ protects the believer so there is no reason to fear Satan or death.”

May the Lord bless these words to our heart.

In Christ

Bro. White