20130721
Many of the hymns we sing contain Biblical teachings. Their words are not the Bible but they contain Biblical teachings and are likewise immortalized, much like some secular songs on love and friendship. The Apostle Paul adopted what is probably an existing Christian hymn to bring home strong Biblical truths in writing 2 Timothy 2:11-13 and calling it a faithful saying. However, in the study of these verses, there are various interpretations by theologians and opposing views sometimes arise. The blessed approach for us is to understand this faithful saying in the context of Paul’s letter to Timothy. We find out what we can learn in “Living for Jesus” by applying the truth of this faithful saying rather than hold on to disagreeing views. The main focus of this faithful saying is that salvation is achieved only through faith in Jesus by the grace of God. But through our faithfulness in Jesus, it determines what rewards await us in heaven.
“If we died with Him, we will also live with Him”. If we believe in Jesus for eternal life and we have died in Him, it is God ‘s promise that we will also live with Him. Our certain resurrection in Jesus is the focus of 2 Tim. 2:11. We are secure in Jesus as far as our eternal destiny is concern but God scrutinize our faithfulness in Jesus for our eternal reward.
“If we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us”. This is about our conditional reigning with Jesus. It is not about our justification or whether we have eternal life or not. Throughout the Bible, God promises blessings and privileges/rewards to those who are faithful and obedient. In heaven, Jesus is going to parcel out some authority to those who have endured with Him to the end. He will deny us if we fail to endure. We will still receive eternal life but will lose our eternal reward.
“If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown himself”. Here is the strongest reassurance of our salvation – “God cannot deny Himself”. The Bible tells us of some characters who sinned and “temporarily” denied Jesus but later repented e.g. Simon Peter. Did these people lose their salvation? Definitely Not! Our goal should be to persevere to the end because true satisfaction and joy comes from Christian living – “Living for Jesus ” daily a life on earth to seek His treasures for us in heaven.
