As Paul penned his second letter to Timothy, he wrote a poem about dying to live. 2 Timothy 2: 11 This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. 12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. 13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.[1] This may have been an early hymn in the church. But as a poem, it provides us with a depth of interpretation.
Jesus Died to Give us New Life
Paul commented on this in an earlier letter to the Corinthian church. 2 Corinthians 5: 14 Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.[2]
We can live as new creations because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. But that means leaving the old, sinful life behind. Romans 6: 10 When he (Jesus) died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.[3]
Enduring Persecution
The Romans imprisoned Paul because he preached about Jesus. 2 Timothy 1: 8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. [4]
Jesus had warned of hardship and persecution. John 15: 18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you.[5] We shouldn’t be surprised when the world discriminates against us as Christians. Thus, If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.
Remain Faithful
Because of persecution, there may come a time when you must decide to deny Christ and keep your physical life or lose your physical life for your faith. Matthew 10:38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me (Jesus), you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.[6]
Here again, we must die to live, just as Paul advised Timothy. We are not to deny our Savior. God promises to be faithful even if we fail. Timothy, too, would be persecuted just as Paul was. Here, Paul reminded Timothy and us how to live eternally despite losing our physical lives.
To learn more about dying to live, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/lead-faithfully
[1-6] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.