Paul often repeats the basis...
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Paul often repeats the basis of our faith in Christ! It can't be stated often enough! Paul is saying that we may suffer for our faith, but God has already suffered so that we will not have to suffer. Many Christians suffered for their faith in Nepal, and that is true of many mission countries where the Christian faith is treated as a threat to the local faiths. So even if we die for our faith we are still alive in our God. He will always keep us in his love.
Then the warning comes: If we disown him, he will disown us. But even if we are faithless, he will remain faithful. It is like the story of the life preserver; there it lies in the water near the drowning man. If he fails to grab it he has sealed his doom. His way of escape is lying there in the water within reach. All he has to do is grab it, since God remains faithful even if we aren't.
What can make a person faithless? Temptation is one thing. We may be so excited about an opportunity, which lies even closer than that life preserver. That sexy girl we see who keeps us from thinking about God. It could be many things like money or power -- you name it. There are too many! We confess them every Sunday when we say we have sinned in thought and word as well as deed! The pastor's job is to keep reminding us of these words from Paul.
That warning about quarreling over words reminds us of seminary! How many of those learned scholars, whose books may still be on our shelves, fight over gnats and swallow camels? I heard arguments about the virginity of Mary and even about the literal resurrection. They say they are trying to reach "modern man" who can't believe all those miracle stories! Yes, there are a few good ones, but we dare not let some destroy our faith -- not to mention the faith of our members. I would not want my members to read some of those books! This problem was present in Jesus' day, because the Pharisees and Sadducees and the lawyers were constantly arguing fine points of law and missing the main point!
We must be good workmen who don't need to be ashamed (because we are not academically respectable). Don't get lost in all the arguments of some, and instead serve the Lord faithfully. We are admonished to "correctly" handle the word of truth -- not the word of doubt and confusion! In one respect, I have learned more from my members than from my professors!
Then the warning comes: If we disown him, he will disown us. But even if we are faithless, he will remain faithful. It is like the story of the life preserver; there it lies in the water near the drowning man. If he fails to grab it he has sealed his doom. His way of escape is lying there in the water within reach. All he has to do is grab it, since God remains faithful even if we aren't.
What can make a person faithless? Temptation is one thing. We may be so excited about an opportunity, which lies even closer than that life preserver. That sexy girl we see who keeps us from thinking about God. It could be many things like money or power -- you name it. There are too many! We confess them every Sunday when we say we have sinned in thought and word as well as deed! The pastor's job is to keep reminding us of these words from Paul.
That warning about quarreling over words reminds us of seminary! How many of those learned scholars, whose books may still be on our shelves, fight over gnats and swallow camels? I heard arguments about the virginity of Mary and even about the literal resurrection. They say they are trying to reach "modern man" who can't believe all those miracle stories! Yes, there are a few good ones, but we dare not let some destroy our faith -- not to mention the faith of our members. I would not want my members to read some of those books! This problem was present in Jesus' day, because the Pharisees and Sadducees and the lawyers were constantly arguing fine points of law and missing the main point!
We must be good workmen who don't need to be ashamed (because we are not academically respectable). Don't get lost in all the arguments of some, and instead serve the Lord faithfully. We are admonished to "correctly" handle the word of truth -- not the word of doubt and confusion! In one respect, I have learned more from my members than from my professors!
