Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/68

Contributor - Harold Hesselink

Title - A Christian Should Claim The "I Knows" In the Bible for Himself

Topic - Knowing God

The natural man has many uncertainties which become certainties for us who believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Savior. Let me set forth four "I Knows" which a Christian ought confess in order to live with assurance and joy.

Paul writes in Timothy (II Tim. 1 : 12) "I KNOW Whom I have believed". He was a mature Christian who had endured much for his faith and was now in the Roman prison for the second time awaiting his death. Yet he trusts Him to Whom he has committed himself in life and in death. He is persuaded that the Lord is Iible to keep him no matter what happens. To know Him as a Person gives us a Companion whom we can trust and a Guide upon whom we can depend. What is your only comfort in life and in death? is the first question in our catechism. The answer is heartening - "That I with body and soul, both in life and death., am not my own; but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ." This we ought not guess, but know.

Peter had an "I KNOW" concerning a miraculous deliverance from the hands of an enemy. Herod had seized him and put him in prison to please the Jews. To make sure that he would not escape he was guarded by two soldiers and bound with two chains. While he was sleeping at night between the two soldiers the angel of the Lord awoke him and bade him follow. He was escorted safely by the angel, the chains fell off, the prison doors opened, and he was out on the street free. He could hardly realize what had happened, but when he had considered it he said, "Now I KNOW for sure that the Lord delivered me." This "I Know" was an experience of the Lord's deliverance from the wicked intentions of King Hero and of that which the Jews expected concerning him. This miraculous deliverance was an answer to the prayer of the Church. To experience the "I Know" of deliverance from the enemies of God and His Church is a great thing in life. "If God is for us who can be against us?"

Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, had an "I Know" to declare when troubled by her brother's death. She had depended on Jesus when Lazarus was sick, but now He had delayed His coming until after Lazarus had died. While she was deeply grieved and in sorrow Jesus lifted her horizon and said, "Your brother shall rise again." She knew that teaching and said, "I know he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." (John 11 : 24) To know that there will be a resurrection gives our living real purpose and a sure destiny. With this "I Know" we live not simply for the brief span of earthly life, but for eternity.

Job's "I Know" came out of trial and affliction. He did not know that God was using him as a test case to prove to Satan that man is true to God because he loves HIM. Satan said that Job was true to God because God had set a fence around him and given him great prosperity. God had given Satan permission to test him and see for himself. Out of the depths of suffering, accusation of friends, and dismal surroundings came the expression of deep conviction and hope, "I KNOW that my Redeemer liveth". Likely Job did not see his way back to health and prosperity, but somehow or other he knew that there was a Vindicator who would stand on the earth in the latter day! What a prophecy - le saw Jesus Christ afar off. He said more, namely, that after his body was destroyed he would see God without his flesh or in his flesh after his resurrection. If Job had this I KNOW we surely ought have it because Jesus Christ did stand on the earth in the latter days and HE did rise from the dead and lives. And yet there are many who do not have this I KNOW for even as men would not believe Moses and the prophets neither do they believe even though ONE rose from the dead. But we have the dependable record of the Bible and the proven fact of the living Redeemer. The Hymn writer expressed it.......... I serve a risen Savior. He's in the world today- I know that He is living, whatever men may say. He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! You ask me how I know He lives? HE lives within my heart."

These four "I KNOWS" used by the Holy Spirit can give us assurance that secures us in the love of God for now and ever.

I KNOW Whom I Have Believed.

I KNOW for sure that the Lord delivered me.

I KNOW that He shall rise again.

I KNOW that my Redeemer liveth.

Confronted with the "I KNOWS" must anyone still say, "I DON'T Y-NOW?" Let the Holy Spirit have His way and our "I DON'T KNOWS" will become "I KNOWS".

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