KNOWING GOD

A spiritually imparted 'knowledge' of Christ is necessary to 'faith' in Him. 

For this reason, 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 what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2 Timothy 1:12

Notice how Paul put it ... 'I know Whom I have believed'. 

He didn’t say I know 'what' I have believed or 'how much' I have believed or 'why' I have believed. His confidence did not come from a creed, a theological system, or a denomination. It came solely from a close, unbroken relationship with Jesus ... to Whom he unreservedly gave himself. 

Spurgeon - The text is wholly taken up with three things; namely, with knowing, with believing, and with the person who is known and believed; and upon both the knowing and the believing Paul is very decided. He puts in no “if,” no word of change; he does not say, “I hope so,” or “I trust so,” but “I know I have believed, and I know whom I have believed.”

'That day' is in reference to when Christians will be judged for what they've done in service for the Lord. The certainty of that event should motivate us to allow His Spirit to flow through us ... to proclaim the Gospel message without reservation.

Tozer - Before the judgment seat of Christ my service will not be judged by how much I have done ... but by how much of 'me' is in it.

Shake off 'religion for religion's sake'. Study the Word of God and pray often so that your 'knowledge' of Christ grows and your 'faith' increases. May the words 'I know Whom I have believed' become your heart's anthem ...