“This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:11-13; NKJV)
"For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him." To die with Christ is to be baptized into His death - "...who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death" (Romans 6:3; NASBU). He died for us that we might live for Him and with Him.
"If we endure, We shall also reign with Him." To endure is to abide up under whatever burden comes our way because of Him - "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12; NASBU). He endured on our behalf so that we might reign with Him.
"If we deny Him, He also will deny us." To deny is to disavow, to reject - "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23; NIV). He would have us treat Him as we would long to be treated by Him.
"If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." To be faithless is to betray the trust of the Faithful One - "...for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day" (2 Timothy 1:12; NASBU). As faithful as Jesus is to save those who believe in Him, He is equally faithful to judge those who do not.
A faithful saying...am I faithful to the saying?
Jason Cicero
