DEVOTION | 2 Timothy 2:12 KJV
“if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:”
Take a moment to consider how quickly we can and have denied Christ in our day-to-day lives, whether as a new convert or even as a seasoned saint…
Naturally, we have been conditioned not to consider the personhood of the Godhead which makes today’s subject an even greater possibility.
Before we get into a bit of word study, let’s talk about the obvious for a moment. This verse of scripture outlines a “CONDITIONAL COVENANT”.
By now, we should know with experiential knowledge that our God is a God of covenant and His world is governed by covenants, requirements, legislation, and protocols that dictate how we operate from His realm to ours and vice versa.
The first half of this conditional covenant references quite plainly that if one is willing to suffer, they are automatically QUALIFIED to reign. The latter is not as clear coated as the former. In this half of the verse, one must articulate the opposite of the instructional requirements.
If you deny Him, He also will deny you, simple right? So naturally, we settle in the context that if we deny, so too will we be denied!
But let’s go a step further, Christ is informing us of the stipulations of denying Him before men and Him denying us before the only ONE who matters in His world, the Almighty God.
Here is a GREAT place to do a bit of word study.
To deny according to Webster's Dictionary means:
• state that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of.
• refuse to give or grant (something requested or desired) to (someone).
The biblical definition of deny in this verse is the Greek word G720 - arneomai and it means:
• is used of followers of Jesus who, for fear of death or persecution, deny that Jesus is their master, and desert his cause, [to disown]:
As a Bible student, word study is an extremely important element to properly interpreting and understanding the context of scripture.
The antonym or opposite of the word deny is:
• Accept
• Acknowledge
• Confirm
• Believe
• Claim
• Embrace
• Keep
• Validate
So, when we accept, acknowledge, confirm, believe, claim, embrace, keep, validate our relationship and fellowship before men, CHRIST IN TURN WILL accept, acknowledge, confirm believe, claim, embrace, keep, and validate US BEFORE THE ONLY ONE WHO MATTERS IN HIS WORLD! 😮💨
One of the very immature concepts of Christendom is the REQUIREMENT TO SUFFER! Suffering is frowned upon in any sector of life let alone in what is supposed to be one of the elements linked to our eternal purpose and destiny.
Let’s look at the word suffer and its definition. To suffer means:
• experience or be subjected to (something bad or unpleasant).
• become or appear worse in quality.
• be affected by or subject to (an illness or ailment).
The Biblical definition of suffer in this verse is the Greek word G5278 - hypomenō and it means:
• to persevere: absolutely and emphatically, under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ
Before I conclude, let’s look at the Biblical definition of reign in this verse. It’s the Greek word/phrase G4821 - symbasileuō and it means:
• to reign together: with one metaphorically, to possess supreme honor, liberty, blessedness, with one in the kingdom of God
In conclusion, the prerequisite of reigning eternally with King Jesus in His Eternal kingdom is that we MUST possess absolute perseverance under misfortunes, trials, sickness, calamity, distress, persecution, and the like holding fast to our faith in Christ in humanity’s realm!
As a reward for our diligence and commitment to Christ and His infinite plan we in turn obtain a oneness with God now and in eternity!! 🤲🏾
You see, this conditional covenant is not merely clothed in willingness but it tells of one’s heart posture. It unveils the true essence and motive behind those in Christ’s stead.
I sure hope this devotional BLESSED YOU!
Until next read,
Waiting well
Apostle Natasha
