Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
4 comments:
The verse makes a happy switch at the end, "If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself." which has offered me much confusion. What do u think the explanation might be? John Wesley had this short explanation: If we believe not [are faithless] — That is, though some believe not, God will make good all his promises to them that do believe.
He cannot deny himself — His word cannot fail.
Matthew Henry said similar things, "Let suffering saints remember, and look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of their faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despised the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God. We must not think it strange if the best men meet with the worst treatment; but this is cheering, that the word of God is not bound. Here we see the real and true cause of the apostle's suffering trouble in, or for, the sake of the gospel. If we are dead to this world, its pleasures, profits, and honours, we shall be for ever with Christ in a better world. He is faithful to his threatenings, and faithful to his promises. This truth makes sure the unbeliever's condemnation, and the believer's salvation."
I think it means so much more than either of those explanations. We "see through the glass darkly." But I'm still thinking on it... I'll get back to you.
There are times when my faith has been/will be "less", because of my sin, my weaknesses, or just because I am human. Jesus, on the other hand, being the Omnipotent loving God that He is, will NEVER be faithless, but remains faithful...because faithfulness is part of His character...and He cannot deny Himself. That is what I take from the passage, but I may be missing something, so please do responde, E.
Yes, I agree w/Katy completely, and I agree w/ what Lyd said. I'm just not satisfied w/stopping there. I believe we limit God b/c we are limited beings. We think we can see (define) the beginning of His Love and the end of His Love, but we really cannot conceive the infinity of it. I know I cannot. He may deny those that deny Him but He remains faithful- even to those w/o faith. The definitions of faithless are
1. Not true to duty or obligation; disloyal.
2. Having no religious faith.
3. Unworthy of faith or trust; unreliable.
Matthew and I were both puzzling over this passage (despite me throwing that out there, I'm still not getting all there is to get), and he reminded me of 1 John 3:20+21
"For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God."
Isn't that like having your cake and eating it too? :) Now I have another one to happily puzzle over...
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