10/30

2 Timothy 2:13

¹³. . . if we are faithless, he remains faithful- for he cannot deny himself.

Paul shared with Timothy what Paul called a "trustworthy saying." It began with the truth that if we die with Jesus, we are certain to live with Jesus. It continues with the promise that if we endure, we will reign with Him. That is followed by a warning that if we deny Him, He will also deny us. The saying ends with the comforting verse for today.

Those who place themselves in the death of Jesus, giving their lives to God as Jesus gave His in complete surrender, are sure to experience the power of resurrection now and on the day when Jesus returns for His own. However, we must endure if we would reign with Him. And if we deny Him, denying that He is our Savior and Lord, then He will deny us. That is to crucify again the Son of God and hold Him up to contempt (Hebrews 6:6). This saying must have been a strong deterrent from compromising with the world system and saying that Caesar is lord to avoid persecution or death. What would you do?

Our verse today comforts those who would endure in spite of their failures to be faithful. Most believers at times find they are unfaithful to surrender themselves fully to the Lord. The old nature rises from the coffin and insists on its selfish way. But God is faithful to convict us and to forgive and cleanse us when we repent (1 John 1:9). We are a part of His body and He will always be faithful to Himself (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).

Consider: If you think you can freely sin because you are under grace, you should fear for your salvation. If you are afraid your stumbling will send you to hell, you should trust the Great Shepherd to keep you.