“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 also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” II Timothy 2:11-13 (NIV)
Trust. That is the issue for many people today. From a certain perspective one might think, “You can’t trust anyone but yourself.” One elder was walking across his farm with his favorite nephew. As they walked, they talked about various aspects of life. The old gentleman said, “Nephew, I only trust two people, you and me. And quite frankly, there are times I am not certain about you.”
From another perspective we might consider that circumstances demand trust in somebody. The issue becomes who do we know that is the most trustworthy with our secrets. Many people turn to banks and lawyers because lawyers and bankers are bound by law to not reveal confidences. But in this day of computer hackers and identity theft, wisdom dictates prudence in placing our trust. For Christians, the challenge is to not let the doubt and fears flow from our physical lives into our eternal lives. If we do not trust those we can see, then we might not trust the One we cannot see.
Note Paul’s explanation to Pastor Timothy: If we trust Christ for salvation (we died with him), then we can also trust Christ for resurrection (we will live with him). If we trust Christ to keep us (we endure), we can also trust Christ for our rewards (we will reign with him). On the other hand, if we reject or disown Christ, then He will also reject or disown us. Trust or not to trust . . . that is the question! Yet, if we fail in our trusting (we are faithless), Christ continues to be faithful. His faithfulness extends to us and to himself, because Christ cannot reject or disown himself.
Despite all the deceit in this world, we can trust Christ. He is who He claims to be! He keeps his promises!
Dear Father, thank you for Christ the Faithful. Empower us with an enduring trust in him. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today and trust Christ,