The Four "Ifs"

224 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Ti 2:11-13) This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. (2 Tim 2:11-13) This is important stuff and a beautifully reassuring portion of Scripture for some, not so much for others. The Holy Spirit starts out by underlying the veracity of what is about to be said. “This is a faithful saying. It is entirely trustworthy! You can bet your soul on what is about to be said! I would add that these three verses are “filled with matters of the faith” ...hence faith full! There are four “ifs”. Four conditions that are sure to produce their associated results. Two of these conditions have positive results, and two have negative. Note too, that the first “if” speaks of something that happened in the past. The second “if” speaks of the present. The third “if” speaks of the future, and the fourth “if” knows no time restrictions.....”He remains faithful!” This is vital stuff! So much spiritual truth squeezed into three little verses! Let's take a look at these “ifs” beginning with the first one. “If we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.” The first thought one might have as they read this is a promise for all martyrs of the church. While I believe martyrs have a special place in the heart of God, (see Rev 6:9-11) to limit this “faithful” promise to violent martyrdom, ignores the promises found here for all followers of Christ! Do you not know that all Christians are martyrs in the sense that we must “die to self?” Jesus said in Mt 16:24,25, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” And in Ga 5:24, “those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Next time, we'll look at the matter of crucifying the flesh. Father, thank You for these beautiful promises, may they resonate with all who hear this word!