READING: 2 Timothy 2:8-13
The Bible makes it clear that Christianity is full of trials and tribulations. It is not an easy road to travel. When you are determined to walk with God, you meet with all sorts of
discouragement such that if you are not careful, you may find yourself backsliding. But God will not accept any reason a Christian may give for backsliding. This is because He is able
to keep anyone from backsliding who seeks Him. In today’s passage, we can find words of comfort and words of warning from Paul to Timothy which are able to keep a child of God
from backsliding. First, we have words of comfort thus, “For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him” (vl1-12). These are words of
comfort in that they tell of the blessings that await a believer who does not waiver in the faith. We receive words of comfort from the Lord whenever we fall into various trials and our faith is put to test (cf James 1:2-3). At such times, the Lord will be saying to us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). Second, we have words of warning that speak about punishments that await those who become unfaithful in their Christian race: “If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (v12-13). Whenever we sin, it is not a word of comfort but a word of warning we receive. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 makes clear under what circumstances comfort and warning are given: “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.” Beloved, which one suits your situation right now, comfort or warning?
ACTION: Ask the Lord to meet you at your point of need.