Having Paul’s

Paul’s life was not easy. He had experienced being beaten, thrown in prison and driven out of the city. Yet even after all the injustices he su ered, he still advised, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:17-19).

You might be wondering, “How could Paul say this?” and “Can I have the same con dence that he had?”

Why do you think Paul was able to respond to persecution as he did? It was because he was secure in his relationship with God. He says, “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).

Can we have the same con dence that Paul had? Yes, because he tells us that God treats His children in the same way. We can be secure in our relationship with Him because nothing can separate us from His love. If you believe that, you can have the same con dence that he had. As Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Being con dent 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).

Go beyond a “hope so” or “think so” relationship with God. You can have a “know so” one. Remember that John said,“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).

Used with permission from Guidelines Philippines, Inc. To learn more about Guidelines and the ministry, please write to Box 4000, 1280 Makati City, Philippines or e-mail address box4000@guidelines.org. You may also visit our website at www.guidelines.org.