"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Saturday, September 16, 2023 - Day 259 - (Today’s Bible readings: Ezekiel 14; Psalm 76; 2 Timothy 2:1-13)
CHRIST REMAINS FAITHFUL
“If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will 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 2:11-13 ESV)
Each phrase in these verses begins with “if.” It sounds like salvation is up to us.
“If we...,” then good things will follow. If we die with Jesus, that is die to sin, we will live with Him. If we “hang in there” when life gets rough, we will rule with Jesus.
However, if we deny Jesus, He will deny us. But look at how Jesus responds to the times we are faithless. “He remains faithful.”
The conclusion is that our salvation depends on Jesus and not on us! What comforting news that is. There are no conditions! Our faithful Savior promises to always be with us, even to the end of time.
Salvation unto us has come
By God’s free grace and favor;
Good works cannot avert our doom,
They help and save us never.
Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone,
Who did for all the world atone;
He is our one Redeemer.
“Salvation unto Us Has Come,” LSB #555 (1)
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being faithful to me, especially because my sins make me unfaithful to You. May I continue to look to You alone for the redemption of my soul. Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow!
Pastor David Paape
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