The Fourth "If"

227 - 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) The use of the phrase “faithful saying” here tells us that this is important stuff. This is a saying that is jam-packed with truth. Truth that will be assuring for those who receive it! There are four “ifs” that “if” acted on will produce the accompanying results. The first “if”, as we have discussed, is linked to being crucified with Christ in the Christian act of baptism. (Rom 6:4-6, Col 2:12) The second “if” is linked to enduring faith. (Believing to the end) These two “ifs” are summarized in Mk 16:16a "He who believes and is baptized will be saved;” The third “if” has a negative result and is summarized in Mk 16:16b, “he who does not believe will be condemned.” The fourth “if” really ought to get our attention. If we are faithless, He remains faithful. Though we may turn away from Him, and be faithless with our confession, there is no “shadow of turning in Him,” (Jas 1:17) Jesus Christ is the same, “yesterday, today, and forever!.” (Heb 13:8) He remains faithful to His Word! And He says in Joh 3:3, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." And He commands us in Mt 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and in Mr 16:16 He says, “"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”This is what Jesus says, there are no exceptions! We can do all sorts of mental gymnastics with His Word, twisting and turning it to our liking, But the word of the LORD endures forever." (1 Pet 1:25) The Good News is we also know that He doesn't give up in His pursuit of the faithless! 2Pe 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Have you played the prodigal, despising the faith of your youth, making your baptism of no avail? Well the Father is waiting for you to repent and return! Have you always resisted the grace of God and disavowed Jesus? Again the Father waits for you to repent and come to Him! Though you be faithless, He remains faithful in the promises of His Word! He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, he who believes not will be condemned!