Let Us Be Fully Persuaded
Read Time: 8 Minutes
Elijah was able to believe God's revelation to him even though it took three years so see the end of it and even when he is surrounded by adverse conditions. He remained faithful; he remained believing because he was fully persuaded that God's Word was His will. What about us? There is a Greek word plerophoro that is used five times in the New Testament, twice as "fully persuaded" See footnote** for other occurrences. It is made up of two words pleres and phoreo. Pleres is related to the word pleroo meaning "to fill to capacity." The word phoreo means "to bear or carry continuously." Literally plerophoro means "to be fully carried by what we have heard" hence, fully persuaded.
Romans 4
:21 And being fully persuaded [plerophoro] that,
what he had promised,
he was able also to perform.
Abraham had to get to the point that he was fully persuaded of the promise of God. It didn't happen right away. It took several years before Abraham and Sarah were fully persuaded--filled to capacity with the promise of God--to the point of receiving the promise.
The Word says that it will take us a while, so this is nothing new. But we can rest assured that it is available to be fully persuaded.
Romans 14
:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye,
but not to doubtful disputations.
:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things:
another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
:3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not;
and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth:
for God hath received him.
:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant?
to his own master he standeth or falleth.
Yea, he shall be holden up: [be made to stand]
for God is able to make him stand.
:5 One man esteemeth one day above another:
another esteemeth every day alike.
Let every man be fully persuaded [plerophoro] in
his own mind.
Until we are fully persuaded we will be weak in areas. It is no sin, it is not something to condemn ones self over. God is the one who takes care of us in our growth enabling us to stand. God also tells us to take care of those that are less spiritually mature (chapter 15). The whole idea is to get to the place that we are fully persuaded, fully carried by the Word of God.
How are we to be fully persuaded? Elijah was fully persuaded. He listened to God, obeyed and saw His Word brought to pass. The noun form of fully persuaded, plerophoria is revealing.
Colossians 2
:2 That their hearts might be comforted,
being knit together in love,
and unto all riches of the full assurance [plerophoria] of understanding,
to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God,
and of the Father, and of Christ;
:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
We are to be fully persuaded in our understanding of the Mystery of God:
Colossians 1
:27 To whom God would make known
what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory
We are to be fully persuaded that it is Christ in us the hope of glory, Judeans and Gentiles alike.
Colossians 2
:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk ye in him:
:7 Rooted and built up in him,
and stablished in the faith,
as ye have been taught,
abounding therein with thanksgiving.
We become fully persuaded, rooted and grounded, standing steadfast by putting on the Word, and reading it, and hearing it, and thinking it, and teaching it. Be fully carried continuously to the end that there is no doubt remaining in our minds. Receive Christ which is believing the Word of God which makes known Christ. Walk in Christ, put on the mind of Christ, what did Jesus Christ do? Do what he did--lead God's people, teach God's people and be an example of a spirit-filled, power-filled son or daughter of God. And abound with thanksgiving.
The Gospel has come to us with full persuasion by the proof of the power of God and gift of the holy spirit--the Christ in us:
I Thessalonians 1
:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only,
but also in power,
and in the Holy Ghost,
and in much assurance; [plerophoria-with full
persuasion]
as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
Hebrews 6
:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you,
and things that accompany salvation,
though we thus speak.
:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love,
which ye have shewed toward his name,
in that ye have ministered to the saints,
and do minister.
:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence
to the full assurance [plerophoria] of hope unto
the end:
:12 That ye be not slothful,
but followers of them
who through faith
and patience
inherit the promises.
With the same diligence that the Judeans were laboring among the saints they were to be diligent so as to be carrying the full capacity of the Hope until the end.
We are also to have our hearts--the innermost part of our being--carrying the full capacity of believing.
Hebrews 10: 22 Let us draw near with a true heart
in full assurance [plerophoria] of faith, [pistis - believing]
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience,
and our bodies washed with pure water.
:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;
(for he is faithful that promised;)
[faithful-pistos form of pistis - one that can be
believed, relied on]
Just as Elijah was confident--fully persuaded--in the promises of God we can be also in our day and time. We will see the wonderful works of God in our lives as we strive to renew our minds to the Word being fully persuaded in believing, in the Hope, in the power of the holy spirit and in acknowledging the mystery.
II Timothy 4:5 "make full proof," to Timothy to carry out his ministry in full,)
II Timothy 4:17 "be fully known" Paul making fully known the gospel.
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