CONDITIONS

2 Timothy 2:11-13 New International Version

“Here is a trustworthy saying: 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 will also deny us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”

       Nestled in this letter from Paul to Timothy we find four (4) conditional clauses. The first one speaks of our future with Christ.⁽¹⁾  If we die with him, as in die to self, we will live with him for all eternity. The second clause speaks of the condition of the saved person who endures to the end.  If we endure regardless of our circumstances, we will share in the administration of the Kingdom.  The third clause reveals to us that to deny Christ will result in being denied by him in the end. This is not referring to a singular event, such as when Peter denied Christ three times within a very short period of time, but rather an extended period of denial, which would be represented by the individual’s lifestyle. The fourth and final clause tells us that though our faith may fail and unbelief may enter our hearts, God shall remain faithful, keeping each and every promise He has declared in His word. Even if we were to turn our back on Christ, he will never turn his back on us.

       Redemption is a very real event in the life of an individual. We are not to serve God as we choose, when we choose.  We are to submit to his will daily.  God is a very faithful, loving, merciful Heavenly Father to us; however, his benefits and promises are for those who would believe and not doubt. When I speak of doubting, I am speaking of habitual and repeated doubting as if to be double minded, not trusting God to do that which He has said. Faith and trust are the backbone of Christianity, with the crucifixion being the focal point and the resurrection being the glorious result of all of God’s precious promises. For without a blood sacrifice, represented by Christ’s bloody, horrific death on a cross, God’s redemptive work to save mankind from his sin would have gone unfulfilled. We must as believers take our walk with Christ seriously. Seeking God must be a part of our daily routine. Even a short time in God’s word, when done sincerely without a sense of obligation, but rather a genuine desire, can benefit us tremendously. We don’t have to read the Bible or serve God, but we can. The fact that we have the opportunity to read the word of God should thrill us and the fact that God wants to use us for His glory should make us feel honored. Does it? Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible, published by Tyndale House.

⁽¹⁾John 5:24 "whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."

Romans 6:8 "if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him."