If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
In 2 Timothy 2, Paul is writing to encourage Timothy, his disciple and spiritual son. He reminds him of the hope of the Gospel amidst the persecutions they are facing. He reminds him that suffering in this world is to be expected. And it can be counted as joy. Though Paul is imprisoned and in chains, he declares the Word of God will never be in chains!
As the world around us grows ever darker by the day, I need to be reminded of these same truths that Paul shared with Timothy. There is an eternal glory that comes with salvation in Jesus (verse 10). And our present suffering does not compare to the joy that is to come. Just take a look at Romans 8:18 — “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
But the reality is, I am near sighted. I forget this all too often. I know it’s true, but I don’t always believe it when the trial comes. I doubt. My actions don’t always reflect the truth of God, the grace of God, the love of God that I claim to believe. And it is in these moments that I am faithless.
But he remains faithful. Why? Because he cannot deny himself. He cannot deny the finished work of the Cross.
There is no amount of faithlessness that can trump his faithfulness. No matter the sin, no matter the struggle, the doubting and the questioning, the hurt or the history, the cross is still greater. He is faithful because He cannot deny himself. And may that faithfulness beckon us to be faithful in return.
