Persuasion

Did you know that Christians are supposed to be persuaders? Everywhere Paul went they accused him of being such a creature. In Corinth, in Antioch, in Ephesus, in Rome, before King Agrippa, Paul was always charged with being a persuader. Why? Because he was one!
Did you know that God is a persuader? He persuades us through suffering that nothing can separate us from His love. He persuades us through His promises that this world is not our home, that a heavenly home awaits us. All of Paul's advice to young Timothy was based on "For I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able, to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."
Do you see the elements of persuasion? First and basic is the character of the Persuader--the Whom. People will only listen to other people who live what they say is true. Knowing God, Paul could easily be persuaded that "He is able." If God says that it's a fact, it's not fancy of fanaticism.
Second, don't ever be persuaded to believe a temporary truth. Paul's faith was an eternal persuasion--"against that day." No amount of time would ever persuade Paul to change his mind, to doubt. Time makes nothing right or wrong.
The third element of persuasion is commitment--by the one being persuaded. A man or woman who is really persuaded by an eternal truth will surrender his own viewpoint and will to God's "keeping."
Finally, persuasion is an individual matter. Paul can't be persuaded for me, nor I for him. Every person must be persuaded in his own heart and mind.
To summarize: the value of the idea someone wants me to believe is related to his character. If he's a liar--verbally or experientially--and I believe him, I'm the fool, not him. I should be persuaded to believe only those truths that are eternal, just as true forever as they are today. If I'm persuaded, I will be wholeheartedly committed to that persuasion.
Be persuaded. By God. And remember, don't tell us that you believe and are devoted to Him. We won't believe you. Show us. Then, we'll be persuaded.