2 Timothy 2:11-13 “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 disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.”
Paul’s two letters to Timothy were written to encourage, urge and command him as a trusted brother in the faith to remain faithful to his calling and endure in the face of any hardship. Timothy had accompanied Paul on his second and third missionary trips and was left in Ephesus as the apostle’s representative.
Here Paul lays out for Timothy the crux of his mission. It needs to resonate with us as well for it remains true to this very day. If we join in Christ’s death by confessing our need for God’s forgiveness, we will live for all eternity with Him. If we endure any and all hardships for His sake, we will reign with Him forever. We are cautioned that if we fall victim to apostasy1, God too will disown us and lastly, even if our faith fails us God will remain faithful. This last statement is a testimony to the unchanging character of God. He is the one true constant in a sea of inconsistency.
The hardships spoken of above are not financial or physical hardships in and of themselves, but rather hardships suffered for the sake of Christ. God will never abandon us regardless of what state of commitment we are in. Our faith tends to ebb and flow as we grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. It’s as we learn to trust Him more that our faith becomes stronger. Each life event gives us an opportunity to utilize our faith in a bigger way. Will we trust God to work things out for His ultimate glory or will we shrink away from each challenge, having our spiritual growth become stunted. We mustn’t allow this to take place. It’s our choice. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
1 Abandonment of one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause.
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