“If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).
This portion of Scripture draws our attention to an important attribute of God: faithfulness.
When employers, subordinates, classmates, family members, news outlets, governmental leaders, and others prove unworthy of our trust, Christ remains faithful. In fact, Jesus’ faithfulness is an intrinsic part of His character, for as we are told in the passage quoted above, “…he always remains faithful. He cannot deny his own nature” (2 Timothy 2:13 Phillips).
This brings us to an uncomfortable reality. You see, it may be difficult to maintain our faith and trust in Christ when facing a situation where we have been negatively affected by the faithlessness of others. However, it is important to recognize that Jesus is not like those who may have injured us in this manner. Unlike other human beings who may prove unworthy of our trust, we can always rely upon Jesus to demonstrate His faithfulness towards us.
As one scholar has pointed out, “This is a wonderful affirmation of assurance that although we are called to endure and be faithful, salvation does not rest ultimately on our faithfulness, but upon the perfect faithfulness of Christ.” (1) So even if we are faithless, Jesus remains faithful to keep every promise He has made. Perhaps the most significant promise in this regard may be found in the New Testament Gospel of John…
“There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so. And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am” (John 14:2-3 GNT).
Yet even while Jesus is faithful toward us, the New Testament letter of 1 Corinthians also provides us with an important reminder…
“…God will reward each one according to the work each has done… Some will use gold or silver or precious stones in building on the foundation; others will use wood or grass or straw. And the quality of each person’s work will be seen when the Day of Christ exposes it. For on that Day fire will reveal everyone’s work; the fire will test it and show its real quality. If what was built on the foundation survives the fire, the builder will receive a reward. But if your work is burnt up, then you will lose it; but you yourself will be saved, as if you had escaped through the fire” (1 Corinthians 3:8, 12-15 GNT).
(1) Sproul, R. C. (Ed.). (2015). The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (p. 2172). Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust.