2 Timoty 1:12
“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.”
The saving faith of the Christian is not built upon religious routine or emotional experiences; it is grounded in a deep, personal relationship with Christ, marked by knowledge, conviction, and trust.
1. Knowledge
“I know whom I have believed…”
Faith begins with a clear understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ. In verses 9–10 of the same chapter, Paul writes of God’s power in salvation — not according to our works, but through His eternal purpose and grace, revealed in Christ, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Like Paul, we must know the One who called us by grace and revealed His Son to us (Galatians 1:15–19). This knowledge is not merely academic — it is personal, experiential, and transformative. The psalmist exclaims, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long…” (Psalm 119:97–104). Through Scripture, we grow in understanding, wisdom, and discernment. True saving faith begins with the knowledge of the living God.
2. Conviction
“…and am persuaded…”
The second element of saving faith is deep conviction. Paul was not merely hopeful; he was fully persuaded. As he wrote to the Philippians, “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). Similarly, in Romans 8:31–39, Paul declares with certainty that nothing — not hardship, persecution, famine, danger, nor even death — can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. He is convinced that neither present circumstances nor future fears, neither powers nor anything else in all creation, can undo the work of grace. In moments of financial struggle, sickness, loss, or tragedy, Christian faith holds fast with unshakable conviction: God is for us, and He will not fail.
3. Trust
“…that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
The third mark of saving faith is absolute trust in the faithfulness of God. Paul, facing the end of his life, declares: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness…” (2 Timothy 4:6–8). His trust is not in personal effort, but in the righteous Judge who keeps what is entrusted to Him. Again, in 2 Timothy 4:18, he proclaims: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.” Likewise, in 2 Corinthians 4:7–18, Paul reminds us that though we are afflicted, we are not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; struck down, but not destroyed. We carry in us the life of Jesus and endure light, momentary troubles that are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory. We trust Him, not because we understand everything, but because we know Him, and we are confident that He is faithful to finish what He began.
