Speaking of the eternal glory that can be obtained by those who believe in Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul quotes what may have been an early Christian hymn or a confession recited at baptism.
He writes, "It is a trustworthy statement: For if we 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 Timothy 2:11-13)
It says if we have died with Christ, (and every believer has, Romans 6:3-5) we will also live with Him (in His presence after death) leaving no doubt about the believer's eternal security.
If we endure (persevere in obedience, especially confessing Christ before others even in the face of persecution Matthew 10:32), we will also reign with Him. But if we deny Him (fail to confess Him openly Matthew 10:33), He also will deny us (the privilege of reigning with Him).
Even if we are unfaithful (forfeiting the privilege of reigning with Him), then He remains faithful to us - we will live with Him - for He cannot deny Himself.
Thus, His faithfulness is not contingent on ours and it is His faithfulness, not ours that guarantees our salvation. All believers will live in the presence of Christ forever because He promised eternal life to all who trust in Him for it and He cannot contradict His word and act contrary to His Nature.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 0
Be the first to post a comment!
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.