Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
Source: The Life Application Study Bible
11 “This is a true saying: If we die with Him, we will also live with Him. 12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will deny us. 13 If we are faithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” ~ 2 Timothy 2:11-13
Jesus is faithful. He will stay by our side even when we have endured so much that we seem to have no faith left. We may be faithless at times, but Jesus is faithful to His promise to be with us “to the end of the age”. – “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20 – Old Testament prophesies and genealogies in the book of Matthew present Jesus’ credentials for being King of the world – not a military or political leader, as the disciples had originally hoped, but a spiritual King who can overcome all evil and rule in the heart of every person. If we turn our backs and refuse to serve our King faithfully, we are disloyal subjects, fit only to be banished from the Kingdom. We must make Jesus, King of our life and worship Him as our Savior, King and Lord. Refusing Christ will break our communication with GOD, but He will never turn His back on us even though we may turn our back on Him.
GOD is faithful to HIS children, and although we may suffer great hardships here, GOD promises that someday we will live eternally with HIM. This means believers will live in Christ’s Kingdom and that we will share in the administration of that Kingdom. This truth comforted Paul as he went through suffering and death. When we face hardships, we should not turn away from GOD. HE promises us a wonderful future with HIM. – “For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in GOD.’ – Colossians 3:3 – “For you died” means that we should have as little desire for this world as a dead person would have. The Christians real home is where Christ lives. – “And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory.” – Colossians 3:4 – Christ gives us power to live for Him now, and He gives us hope for the future – He will return. – 15 “I can tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet Him ahead of those who are in their graves. 16 For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of GOD. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 – Because Jesus Christ came back to life, so will all believers. All Christians, including those living when Christ returns, will live with Christ forever. Therefore, we need not despair when a loved one dies or world events take a tragic turn. GOD will turn our tragedies to triumphs, our poverty to riches, our pain to glory, and our defeat to victory. All believers throughout history will stand reunited in GOD’s very presence – safe and secure.
Thank YOU, Father GOD, for YOUR promises and for being faithful even when we are not. Because of YOUR promises we know that we, as believers, will live with YOU forever in eternity. Thank YOU LORD, for turning our tragedies into triumphs, our poverty to riches, our pain to glory and our defeats to victory. As believers we stand united in YOUR presence LORD, safe and secure.
Photo: Las Vegas (Nevada)
Photographer: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
