"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 (KJV)

At the end of the day, how many things in our lives do we really "know?" I don't mean we think we know them. Instead, what are we willing to give our lives for? 

• WHAT DO WE TRULY "KNOW"?

• ARE WE "FULLY PERSUADED"?

• JESUS SPOKE OF THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

"28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish [it], all that behold [it] begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." — Luke 14:28-33 (KJV)

I MUST KNOW...

1. I MUST KNOW THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF SIN

Romans 14:23 (KJV) - "…for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin."

The Biblical definition of sin includes:

• MISSING A MARK 
• TRESPASSING OF A LINE
• DISOBEDIENCE
• IGNORANCE OF SOMETHING EXPECTED
• LAWLESSNESS

Private interpretation is extremely dangerous, and we often leave the definition of sin up to each individual to define. Can you imagine if the laws that govern our society were left up to each citizen to determine? Only God has the right to define sin when at its core, sin is a crime against God Himself. 

Considering that one sin condemned all of humanity through Adam, the power that sin wields is mind-boggling. 

Romans 5:12 (KJV) - "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"

Our only hope is for someone or something to intervene. 

Romans 3:23 (KJV) - "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

Romans 6:23 (KJV) - "For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

2. I MUST KNOW GOD'S WORD IS THE FINAL WORD

Isaiah 40:8 (KJV) - "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) - "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it."

2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) - "All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

2 Peter 1:21 (KJV) - "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost."

• JESUS HIMSELF APPROVED THE SCRIPTURES

Matthew 4:4 (KJV) - "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

John 5:46-47 (KJV) - "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"

Mat 24:35 (KJV) - "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

- Luke 16:17 KJV

3. I MUST KNOW JESUS

Act 2:36 (KJV) - "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."

2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV) - "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." (emphasis mine)

• JESUS IS GOD'S EVERYTHING!

"15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell;" - Colossians 1:15-19 (KJV)

There is a great temptation in Christianity to focus on things, even spiritual things. There is a great desire for peace, joy, or greater understanding. Jesus did not come to earth to give us things. He came to give us Himself. What we desperately need is more of Jesus! In true Christianity, there are no things, only Christ.

• JESUS IS LIFE

Colossians 3:4 (KJV) - "When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."

• JESUS IS HOPE

1 Timothy 1:1 (KJV) - "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, [which is] our hope;"

4. I MUST KNOW PRAYER WORKS!

Jeremiah 33:2-3 (KJV) - "Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD [is] his name; (1)Call unto me, (2)and I will answer thee, and (3)shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." (Emphasis & division mine)

Matthew 21:22 (KJV) - "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) - "But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

1 Timothy 2:8 (KJV) - "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."

"IT IS ON PRAYER THAT THE PROMISES WAIT FOR THEIR FULFILLMENT, THE KINGDOM FOR ITS COMING, THE GLORY FOR ITS FULL REVELATION"

- ANDREW MURRAY

5. I MUST KNOW FAITH IS A FIGHT

2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV) - "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."

1 Timothy 6:12 (KJV) - "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV) - "I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:"

1 Peter 5:8-9 (KJV) - "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."

6. I MUST KNOW TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

Matthew 24:42-51 (KJV) - "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite [his] fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Hebrews 9:28 (KJV) - "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

2 Peter 3:11-12 (KJV) - "[Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?"

7. I MUST KNOW THE PROMISE OF HEAVEN

John 14:1-7 (KJV) - "1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."

So what do you KNOW? In this article, I've endeavored to provide seven elements of my relationship with Christ that must be secure. I am "fully persuaded" of these things, and I hope you are too!

2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV) - "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."

Hebrews 11:13 (KJV) - "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."