2 Timothy 2:13

2 Timothy 2:13

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“if we are faithless, he remains faithful--for he cannot deny himself.”

2 Timothy 2:13

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The Apostle Paul writes with earnest to his protégé, Timothy, in today’s verse. Chapter 2 reveals that Paul is currently imprisoned, and his predicament gives his words of encouragement to Timothy a sobering effect to the modern reader. A condemned man has no reason to lie, pump his chest, or waste his time writing letters of shallow interest. Paul is discipling with a love for the Gospel, his brother Timothy, and the church.

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Verses 11 through 13 cover four if-then statements. If you ever did any computer programming, you’ll know that if-then statements in coding tell the program to respond a certain way if a preceding condition is met. In the same way, Paul uses conditions to highlight the faithfulness and legitimacy of Christ because He cannot NOT keep His promises. That would go against Himself and as verse 13 states, He cannot deny himself.

Slide

Paul calls on Timothy to “remind them of these things” in verse 14. We, too, should continually remind ourselves and others of the immensity of the Gospel and the faithfulness of God. It is through the difficulties in this world that God interjects His grace and recalling His interventions in the past helps us endure the difficulties we face now.

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I’ve noticed recently that rock stacks have become a popular thing. You see them beside roads occasionally and it makes you wonder if something important happened on that spot or did some kids just find some cool rocks to stack because “they were there”. But it’s not a new thing. In the Old Testament, there are instances of this happening as a memorial for God doing something miraculous. Jacob, who God renamed Israel, erected a stone pillar at a place called Bethel because God spoke to him there. Bethel literally means “house of God”.

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I can readily recall moments in my life when God “showed up”. I may not have marked that location with a pillar, but my memory is seared with the event. I can remember how I felt, where I was sitting or standing, and the unmistakable prodding of God’s Spirit. At that moment we are faced with a decision: to follow the prodding or deny it. Isn’t it interesting that I don’t remember the times I took the path of denial or simply don’t like to acknowledge it? But when I have followed the calling, oh how God has moved. And those times are emblazoned in my mind and on my soul as “pillars” of His grace.

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So be encouraged today! Intentionally reminisce about the ways God has moved in your life even when you felt faithless and listless. He can be neither because it goes against His very nature. Praise Him who faithfulness knows no bounds!

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Dear Heavenly Father, I praise you because you do not abandon us even when we stray. Your Spirit is the tether that lifts my soul and sets me back on the path. Instill in me an awe of the faithfulness you have extended through your son, Jesus Christ. In His Name, I pray. Amen

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“if we are faithless, he remains faithful–for he cannot deny himself.” 

2 Timothy 2:13

Behind the Scenes

The Apostle Paul writes with earnest to his protégé, Timothy, in today’s verse.  Chapter 2 reveals that Paul is currently imprisoned, and his predicament gives his words of encouragement to Timothy a sobering effect to the modern reader.  A condemned man has no reason to lie, pump his chest, or waste his time writing letters of shallow interest. Paul is discipling with a love for the Gospel, his brother Timothy, and the church. 

Verses 11 through 13 cover four if-then statements.  If you ever did any computer programming, you’ll know that if-then statements in coding tell the program to respond a certain way if a preceding condition is met.  In the same way, Paul uses conditions to highlight the faithfulness and legitimacy of Christ because He cannot NOT keep His promises. That would go against Himself and as verse 13 states, He cannot deny himself.  

Paul calls on Timothy to “remind them of these things” in verse 14. We, too, should continually remind ourselves and others of the immensity of the Gospel and the faithfulness of God. It is through the difficulties in this world that God interjects His grace and recalling His interventions in the past helps us endure the difficulties we face now.   

Make It Real

I’ve noticed recently that rock stacks have become a popular thing.  You see them beside roads occasionally and it makes you wonder if something important happened on that spot or did some kids just find some cool rocks to stack because “they were there”.  But it’s not a new thing.  In the Old Testament, there are instances of this happening as a memorial for God doing something miraculous. Jacob, who God renamed Israel, erected a stone pillar at a place called Bethel because God spoke to him there. Bethel literally means “house of God”. 

I can readily recall moments in my life when God “showed up”.  I may not have marked that location with a pillar, but my memory is seared with the event. I can remember how I felt, where I was sitting or standing, and the unmistakable prodding of God’s Spirit. At that moment we are faced with a decision: to follow the prodding or deny it.  Isn’t it interesting that I don’t remember the times I took the path of denial or simply don’t like to acknowledge it? But when I have followed the calling, oh how God has moved. And those times are emblazoned in my mind and on my soul as “pillars” of His grace. 

So be encouraged today! Intentionally reminisce about the ways God has moved in your life even when you felt faithless and listless. He can be neither because it goes against His very nature. Praise Him who faithfulness knows no bounds! 

Danny Venhaus

Danny Venhaus

ACF Operations Director

End in Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I praise you because you do not abandon us even when we stray. Your Spirit is the tether that lifts my soul and sets me back on the path.  Instill in me an awe of the faithfulness you have extended through your son, Jesus Christ. In His Name, I pray. Amen 

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