Paul, sitting in a dark dungeon cell, wrote a letter to his son in Christ to encourage and strengthen him in the faith. He had no children; yet, he loved Timothy as though he were his own. What could he say to this young preacher to convey the heart and soul of the gospel. How could Paul pour out his heart and love for Christ? A love that would keep him firmly grounded, even when he knew soon he would be executed. Sitting there in a cold, damp dungeon cell with little light: chains pulling at his ankles; how does one encourage a beloved son to keep up the good fight, keep on spreading the gospel, regardless of the cost. Paul wrote: If we believe not; yet, He (God) abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).
GOD IS FAITHFUL, What could it mean?
How often have I read this verse without stopping to consider everything about it. Many times I have heard people quote from other versions of the text which read, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself”(2 Timothy 2:13). In many sermons, I heard the preacher reach out to his congregation with a sort of, “It’s ok mate, even if you messed it up; God will be faithful to help you out. Don’t worry so much, be happy! Even if you are faithless toward God, He will be faithful to you.”
Or there was I along with another group of Christians who having read the scriptures immediately preceding and following; concluded that God would be faithful to Himself and if we did not believe in Him, his justice would prevail. Our faithlessness would be our condemnation. Yet, if we really look one step deeper; considering the context; I do believe that the text has a much deeper meaning. One which can lift you up for the depths of sorrow. An understanding of God’s faithfulness which brings hope to the weariest of souls. Even in the darkest dungeon cells of this life.
LOOKING AT CONTEXT
Just as a loving father would prepare his children for the trials they may face; Paul, also felt it necessary “to warn Timothy of trouble both inside and outside the church.”1 So, let us look at the verses surrounding verse 13 to gain a deeper insight into what Paul meant. After all, Paul was about to die for his faith, Why would he say it is OK to be faithless? Nor why would he tell Timothy it is OK to not remain faithful to God, when Paul was urging this young preacher to keep the faith?
Within the verses preceding, Paul urges Timothy to consider what Paul had told him over the years (2 Timothy 2:7), to remember the gospel message of Jesus Christ (verse 8); then, as though a pause or reflection of his position in that dungeon, he wrote verse 9-10. “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evildoer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore, I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:9-10). Even if the world treated him like a common criminal, bound in chains; he kept his eyes on the mission to spread the gospel to all who would hear and urged Timothy to carry on that mission.
Then, he proceeded to say; “if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer we shall also reign with him: If we deny him, he also will deny us” (2 Timothy 2:11-12).
Within that context, the meaning of verse 13 begins to come into light.
TWO TRUTHS THAT STAND: GOD IS FAITHFUL
Paul from a dark, dingy, cold dungeon cell wanted Timothy to remember this truth. God is faithful: to Himself, to His promises, to His justice, and to His Grace. Whether anyone believes or not, God remains who He is for all of eternity. “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19)
First
God remains who He is, Yahweh the great I AM and His truth stands firm whether anyone believes or not. Mankind with all his rhetoric, philosophies, and ideas cannot change who God is. He remains on His throne, reigning with Justice, Righteousness and Grace. For all who hear His call and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, He will redeem and He will complete the work He begins in them. All who reject His gift of grace, will perish; because, they denied Jesus Christ, our only hope of salvation.
Second
When the dark dungeons of this journey, cause one to doubt; God remains faithful. Life can be tough and this Christian journey often is filled with great trials and sorrows. Paul knew that all too well. Even, if the cold, damp walls of a dark dungeon surrounded him and death appeared imminent; Paul could trust on God’s faithfulness, even if his own faith at moments trembled beneath the weight of his trials.
Conclusion
What about you? What dungeon are you facing today? Are you battling health or caring for a sick loved one? Perhaps, you are fighting some addiction; or some sin which you just can’t rise above. Does guilt plague your soul; because, even though you have confessed it to God, you just can’t forgive yourself? Or has depression pulled you deep into a dungeon of despair? Whatever your dungeon may be: look up; because, God is faithful.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?
If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here
Concluding Tweets
[bctt tweet=”Whatever fear or sorrow has you in a dungeon of despair, look up; God is Faithful” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”Even if your own faith trembles beneath the weight of trials God IS faithful” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Whether you believe He exists or not, God IS YAHWEH, the Great I AM[/tweetthis]
footnotes:
Jerry Falwell, ed., The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson,1988), 1896
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Falwell, Jerry, ed. The Liberty Annotated Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson,1988.
OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE
If you want to know more about books I have written: You can read more about each one at: Book Resources.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.