He Is Faithful

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory. The saying is sure:

If we have 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—

for he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:8–13 (RSV)

If we are faithless, he remains faithful; should every person living on the planet suddenly become an unbeliever, Jesus would still be the Savior. The salvation won for us through Jesus' death, and resurrection does not depend on us.

God's Word does not fail because we do not keep it well. His promise of salvation is eternal and cannot be undone by any power in the universe. This truth kept St. Paul from despair while imprisoned for preaching Christ. This promise has sustained countless generations as they faced persecution for Christ.

As we come out of the pandemic, returning to 'normal,' we may be tempted to think less of Christ as new demands on our time arise. After 9-11, many filled the pews; as the shock and fear faded, so did the devotion to the Lord.

Remember, our Lord is faithful to His Word. He calls us to follow Him as He leads us to the fullness of grace. Should we stumble or fall away, His love will seek us out, restoring us to Himself. Pray in these 'new days' that we are faithful to the eternally faithful One.