“Here is a Trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” II Timothy 2:11-13 (NIV)
Wow, there’s a lot to unpack here. I know I usually don’t start out my posts with a scripture verse that packs such a punch, but I just couldn’t help myself. When revelations come, or when you feel the Holy Spirit leap up inside of you at the sound of truth, you can’t help but start out with the scripture that caused all the excitement.
Many of you know that I was raised in the church, was in the church whenever there was a service or activity, and was under the impression that I was saved by grace through faith BUT I had to work to keep it. How exhausting! And then throw on top of it the whole aspect of denying Jesus – is it just denying Jesus or is it being silent about who your Abba is? My meager understanding, until recently, was that if you didn’t present yourself as a Christian in front of others than it was pretty much the equivalent of denying your faith. Perhaps that’s why so many people sport a cross necklace, have an ichthys (looks like a fish) as a bumper decal, or wear shirts that say “Y’all need Jesus.”
I’m not opposed to wearing your faith in a physical way – I have the shirt (several actually), I used to wear a cross, and I used to have the bumper sticker. At the time, those were ways that I showed my identity, but who cares what you’re wearing if your words and actions don’t match the wrapping?
There are so many ways that this one passage can come across as, well, damning. If we don’t endure, are we not going to reign? If we disown Him, then He’ll disown us? How many times do we falter in our relationship with God? Have you ever worried about how to pay the bills; ever had a family member sick or injured that you were worried about? Did you ever find yourself losing sleep because you were worried about your teenager and the choices they were making? I can nod my head to all of those! That means that I took my eyes off of God’s promises and focused on my own strengths and abilities – and found them seriously lacking. I was far from “enduring” and very much lacking faith.
The one I was kind of able to get behind was the “disown” portion – the New King James has it as “deny.” I felt a little safe with that one because I don’t think I would ever renounce Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I know Him! There are times I want to shout it to the world: “I KNOW HIM!” But a little safe is not eternal security, is it? And I’m recalling someone who knew Jesus very well… and denied Him.
Peter, one of the well-known disciples, denied Jesus three times. Even more, Jesus told Peter that it would happen before the rooster crowed, but Peter assured Jesus that he would never deny him. The account of Peter denying Jesus is in all four of what I call the big books – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In Matthew and Mark, however, we’re informed that Peter got so worked up that he cursed and swore in regards to denying any relationship with Jesus! That’s pretty stinkin’ adamant. (For those accounts, please read Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-62, and/or John 18:15-27)
If that were the end of the story, we could all assume that Peter went to hell – forever denied by Jesus because Peter denied Him. I’m so very thankful for grace (such an inadequate way to say what’s in my heart!)! Let me turn your attention to John 21:15-17. Not only did Jesus give Peter a chance to declare love for Him, but He did so three times! Imagine: “Peter, do you love me?” times three! What’s even cooler is that Peter didn’t pander with his answer. He didn’t say, “Yes, Lord, I love you… but I messed up… I’m not worthy… I’m scum…” and the like. He answered in confidence, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
I’ve recently discussed this passage, specifically the part about denying Christ and vice versa. Ever have those days when you have a negative opinion of yourself? Like Peter, we have times when we mess up, but many of us take it farther and berate ourselves. “I’m not worthy… I’m scum… I’m not enough… I’m not a good parent… I’m not a good spouse… I shouldn’t even call myself a Christian…” I know I’m not the only one who has had the pity parties. I know I’m not the only one who tries (and fails) to be everything for everyone, everywhere. I also know that when I speak or think negatively about myself and my numerous failings, I’m contradicting what God says about me – I’m denying His truth!
When I berate myself, I’m denying the truth of what God has said about me. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” II Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
I’m a new creation! As soon as I accepted Christ’s saving grace, the full ransom for every sin, everywhere, in all the world, and for all people, I was made brand new! And then, if Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t enough – grace abounding – we’re given a guarantee…
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are in God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)
When I contradict God’s Word by berating myself, God uses His Word to contradict what I’m saying.
- Me: I’m scum…
- God: You’re chosen. (I Peter 2:9, Isaiah 43:1-2)
- Me: I’m a nobody…
- God: You’re a child of the Most High King. (I John 3:1-2, Galatians 4:6-7 )
- Me: I’m ugly…
- God: You’re created in the image of perfection and the only part of creation given the breath of life. (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:7)
- Me: I’m worthless…
- God: I bought you at a very high price. (I Corinthians 6:20, I Peter 1:18-19)
- Me: I’m an orphan…
- God: You’re an heir and I am your Father. (Galatians 3:26-29, Romans 8:15)
- Me: I’m a sinner…
- God: Your sins were removed and you’re not condemned. (Psalm 103:12, Romans 8:1)
I’m so thankful that, in my shortcomings, God gently contradicts me in such profound ways. I’m not perfect, but the perfect One lives in me! When we get tired (it’s inevitable that we’ll need encouragement at some point or another), we can endure because He is faithful… Because He is faithful, we will reign with Him… and if we’ve accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, even as we’re so prone to self-degradation, He will contradict the lies with His truths.
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV)
Just good stuff!!