Today’s scripture: 2 Timothy 2:11-13
Take a moment to read these verses again. And again. We’re promised so much.
“For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him.” When we accept the gift of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial payment for our sin and commit our lives to Him, we die to ourselves, to our flesh. Our desires become His desires. And we truly live—for the first time. Living in Christ means we’re never alone (Heb. 13:5). We have peace (Phil. 4:7). We have a burden-carrier (Matt. 11:28-30).
“If we endure, we will also reign with Him.” We know we’ll face tribulations and trials on this earth. We know we’ll be persecuted for following Christ (Mark 13:13; 1 Cor. 4:11-13). But if we persevere, we’re fulfilling God’s will for our lives. We’ll spend eternity with our Lord. We’ll “receive the crown of life” (James 1:12).
But in the midst of these promises is a serious caution: “If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” We all have a choice to follow Christ. God has made salvation available to anyone and everyone who accepts it. But we know some will deny the truth. And when they do, God honors their choice.
Yet, even if “we are faithless, He remains faithful.” This may seem contrary to the above phrase, but it’s not. If someone faithlessly chooses to deny Christ, He faithfully honors their decision. This extends to those of us who have chosen to follow Him, yet rebel or turn our backs. He will always be faithful and loving and gracious. But make no mistake: He is also righteous and just. And because He is, He will faithfully allow us to make our own decisions. And He will justly discipline us if those decisions are poor.
Jesus promises that you will live with Him and reign with Him if you choose to follow Him. If you don’t, He’ll be faithful and honor your decision to deny Him. And you’ll spend eternity separated from Him.
What choice have you made?
Take a moment to read these verses again. And again. We’re promised so much.
“For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him.” When we accept the gift of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial payment for our sin and commit our lives to Him, we die to ourselves, to our flesh. Our desires become His desires. And we truly live—for the first time. Living in Christ means we’re never alone (Heb. 13:5). We have peace (Phil. 4:7). We have a burden-carrier (Matt. 11:28-30).
“If we endure, we will also reign with Him.” We know we’ll face tribulations and trials on this earth. We know we’ll be persecuted for following Christ (Mark 13:13; 1 Cor. 4:11-13). But if we persevere, we’re fulfilling God’s will for our lives. We’ll spend eternity with our Lord. We’ll “receive the crown of life” (James 1:12).
But in the midst of these promises is a serious caution: “If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” We all have a choice to follow Christ. God has made salvation available to anyone and everyone who accepts it. But we know some will deny the truth. And when they do, God honors their choice.
Yet, even if “we are faithless, He remains faithful.” This may seem contrary to the above phrase, but it’s not. If someone faithlessly chooses to deny Christ, He faithfully honors their decision. This extends to those of us who have chosen to follow Him, yet rebel or turn our backs. He will always be faithful and loving and gracious. But make no mistake: He is also righteous and just. And because He is, He will faithfully allow us to make our own decisions. And He will justly discipline us if those decisions are poor.
Jesus promises that you will live with Him and reign with Him if you choose to follow Him. If you don’t, He’ll be faithful and honor your decision to deny Him. And you’ll spend eternity separated from Him.
What choice have you made?
