This morning we met for our weekly Friday morning men’s breakfast, Bible study, and fellowship. We have been getting together every Friday for several months now, reading a chapter of the Bible and discussing it. Today we talked through 2 Timothy 2. One of the many things that stuck out to me as we discussed the passage is found in verses 11-13.
Paul writes,
“The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have 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.” (2 Ti 2:11–13)
Paul tells us those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior and die to themselves will live with Him. Those who endure and persevere, will reign with Christ. Those who deny Christ, will also be denied. So far we see a one to one correlation, but then in the last phrase he tells us that if we are faithless, God will remain faithful.
God’s Faithfulness
We know this to be true from biblical history. God remained steadfast as Israel chased after other gods. Yes, He disciplined them, but His discipline was always to correct. His desire was always for them to return to Him. Instead of giving up on them, He remained. He does the same for us. He is faithful even when we are faithless.
Why is God Faithful?
Paul tells us why God is faithful in the last phrase when he says, “for he cannot deny himself.” In other words, God cannot deny His own glory. God will be glorified, and it is our perseverance and ultimate salvation/glorification that glorifies Him. That means our salvation is not primarily for us. It is for God. It is to bring Him glory. Yes, we benefit tremendously from God’s saving grace, but it is not ultimately about us. It is about God and His glory.
A Paradigm Shift
Paul shows us that God is faithful in order to bring glory to Himself. How paradigm shifting is that? God is not faithful because we somehow are worth it. He is not faithful because He needs us. He is not faithful because we have merited it. He is faithful because He cannot deny Himself. To realize this world, this life, and even my salvation is not about me, but is about God’s glory is humbling. And to realize He will be faithful even when I am faithless is amazing!
Questions for Reflection
- How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life?
- Do you believe your salvation is primarily about you or about God?
- Do you believe your salvation is due to some sort of merit on your part?
- Would you be willing to share about a time when you have been humbled by God’s grace and mercy in your life?
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