2 Timothy 2:11-13 says,...

Today's verses are 2 Timothy 2:11-13, which read, 

It is a trustworthy statement:  For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Paul has been instructing Timothy on being strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  If he keeps about the discipleship of others as an on point active soldier and a competing for the prize athlete with integrity and a hard-working farmer looking to the harvest then his eyes will keep focused on the mission given by Christ Himself.  Always, the ultimate example that Paul gives is Jesus, the One risen from the dead, as who we are to pattern ourselves after.

Now we have another trustworthy statement.  We have five of these in the Pastoral Epistles.  This is number four.  It is in the form of a short poem or song to remember for recitation or singing.

• "For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;..." deals with what we say at a baptism.  Christ died and was resurrected and so shall we if we are in Christ.  The reality for the first century Christians was that this could apply to the martyrdom that they could face as Paul sits in this cold dark dungeon cell in Rome waiting for his execution.

• "...if we endure, we will also reign with Him;..." deals with the promises of God of a heavenly home that is being prepared at kept by Him.  We endure all types of persecutions because the faith we possess given by God is secure about the fact that Jesus rose from the dead and is the Savior of our lives and world.  He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

• "...if we deny Him, He also will deny us;..." deals with the other side of the equation.  There will be a final judgment of the world and those who are not in Christ will be denied a heavenly home prepared and kept.  God is consistent to His Word both ways.

• "...if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." deals with the reality that we may waver but God does not.  If we do not possess saving faith then the outcome is a faithful God who will follow through with what happens to those who do not call Him Lord.  This is a poem or song to call others to accept the faith given to them from the Lord.  He has given us what He will do for He is faithful so what will you do in light of what He will do that has been told to you? 

Paul writes these words or dictates them to another while in this cold dark dungeon cells reciting this poem or song holding unto the promises of a faithful God.  The first half of the poem or song is what Paul calls for you to do and the second half is what not to do.  The whole gospel is given here in this little Sunday school song of the first century church.  It is similar to one I grew up with.

"One door and only one and yet its sides are two.  Inside and outside, on which side are You?  One door and only one and yet its sides are two.  I'm on the inside, on which side are You?"  Let's pray. 

"Lord, You are equally faithful for You cannot deny Yourself.  You are faithful to fulfill all of Your promises.  Some of those promises are to our benefit and some of those promises are connected to judgments of justice for not being in You.  In the face of persecution, may we continue to look to the One who will not waver with Himself.  To live and reign with You is to die with You and endure for You.  Amen."

Pastor Adam