SOAP 12/10/2015; 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Today's reading: 2 Timothy 1, 2, 3, 4

S) "¹¹ It is a trustworthy statement:

For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
¹² If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
¹³ If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."

2 Timothy 2:11-13 (NASB)

O) This passage has always stood out to me, because it shows us a few things. First of all, it reminds us of our promise of eternal life in Christ, if we have died to ourselves. It reminds us that we will have opposition from the world, and that we must endure and overcome that opposition. In doing so, we will receive a reward from God. It is a warning, that we cannot fool God, being double-tongued, and saying one thing to God in prayer and another thing to others in public (which also corresponds to the first part of v.12). Throughout those first two verses (11 and 12), we are shown how we can resemble God. When we are brought to life spiritually, God is in a process of sanctifying us, and we are being made holy like He is holy. We are seeking to be matured in Christ, becoming more and more like Him, as we submit to His authority each day. But then, almost jarring because of its contrast (considering all of the similes before it), v.13 comes and reminds us that we are not the same as God. I have tried briefly, to get more clarification on the words "faithless" and "faithful" that are used here, because they aren't really opposites. In the other verses, Paul is showing how two things are the same, in us and in God. Then, in v.13, it would seem he is showing how two things are opposed. However, being faithless would mean unbelieving. Yet, to be faithful means to be committed, pure in devotion, or honest. The opposite of faithless would be having faith. The opposite of faithful is simply unfaithful. In some translations, there seems to be more opposing vocabulary used, and in others more of this duality is presented (being two different concepts, presented as opposites when they aren't necessarily). The more I consider it, though, the less it seems to matter. Supposing the latter (using the contemporary definitions), God will not stop being who He is, just because we stop believing. This is a valid statement, and reminds us of the grace that was at work when God was pursuing us, even though we were faithless. So, if we stop believing, we will die without Him, He will still live, we will not endure, He will still reign, etc. And, if the first word is better translated "unfaithful" then it is effectively the same as "unbelieving" and the rest is the same. If I am unfaithful, God will still be faithful. He will not change. This means that, if I am struggling to believe, I can rest assured that His faithfulness remains, as I strive to believe. It also means that, if I am struggling to remain faithful (that is, if I am struggling with sin), that He remains faithful during my struggle. In either case, God will remain faithful to His promises, and to His character, whether I am having a hard time being faithless or being unfaithful. When I repent, God will still receive me in the same grace He first saved me.

A) Hope. In this verse there is promise and warning and hope. I am therefore encouraged when I am doing well, rebuked when I am not doing well, but I have hope throughout. God will not abandon me because I mess up too much. He will not abandon me because I have doubts. That gives me the boldness to declare Him as Lord. That gives me the strength to endure and continue to fight to believe and to fight to be faithful. That gives me the courage to die to myself, and to live for Him.

P) Father, You are holy. In many ways, I am able to be like You because of the work of Christ on the cross and the Holy Spirit within me. I desire to be holy as You are holy. But, it is also a great encouragement to remember that You are not going to be like me. When I am in You, I will be good like You. When I am not in You, I will not be good, but You will remain good. You always remain good. That is such a great source of hope and encouragement, God. Thank You for the grace that You showed me, and continue to show me, loving me in despite my brokenness, sin, and failure. Please continue to work Your good work within me, and sanctify me. All of this to Your glory alone. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.