(2 Ti) 2:11-13, 15 CJB “Here is a statement you can trust: If we have died with him, we will also live with him. If we persevere, we will also rule with him If we disown him, he will also disown us. If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. Do all you can to present yourself to God as someone worthy of his approval, as a worker with no need to be ashamed, because he deals straightforwardly with the Word of the Truth.”

From the beginning of the Church, believers needed clarity on who God is and what He requires. Before the New Testament was fully written, leaders used memorable sayings to teach truth—truth that shaped lives and anchored faith.

Paul records one of those sayings here.

And it is direct, weighty, and unavoidable.

A Faith That Perseveres

Paul lays out a series of realities:

• If we die with Christ → we will live with Him
• If we endure → we will reign with Him
• If we deny Him → He will deny us

This is not casual Christianity. This is costly allegiance.

Following Jesus is not simply believing something—it is identifying with Him, even when it brings suffering.

Men love darkness rather than light. Because of this, those who speak truth will face resistance. That is why perseverance is essential.

The Warning We Cannot Ignore

“If we disown Him, He will also disown us.”

This is not about momentary weakness—it is about ongoing rejection or refusal to identify with Christ.

A man who claims Jesus but refuses to stand with Him before others reveals a deeper problem.

Faith that never speaks, never risks, and never acts is not the kind of faith Scripture describes.

God Remains Faithful

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful.”

This does not mean God overlooks unbelief—it means God remains true to His character and His Word.

• He is faithful to save those who trust Him
• He is faithful to judge those who reject Him

God does not change to accommodate us. He calls us to align with Him.

Approved by God, Not Applauded by Men

Paul then gives the command:

“Do all you can to present yourself to God as someone worthy of His approval…”

This is the target of a man’s life:

Not the approval of people

But the approval of God

A man approved by God is:

• diligent in His work
• faithful in truth
• unashamed of Christ

Handling the Word of Truth

Paul adds:

“rightly handling the Word of Truth”

This means:

• knowing Scripture
• understanding it correctly
• applying it faithfully
• speaking it clearly

Men who know God must also know His Word.

Because we cannot represent Christ accurately if we do not understand what He has said.

Why This Matters for Purpose, Provision, and Priorities

Men often build their lives around:

• career
• income
• reputation

But Scripture redefines success.

Your purpose is not simply to succeed—it is to be approved by God.
Your provision is not just financial—it is eternal life with Christ.
Your priority is not comfort—it is faithfulness to truth and mission.

The Mission of Every Man in Christ

Those who know Jesus are called to make Him known.

We are witnesses:

• of who He is
• of what He has done
• of how He saves

This is not optional—it is the purpose of our salvation.

To remain silent is to neglect the very reason we have been saved.

The Stakes Are Eternal

There is reward for faithfulness.
There is consequence for denial.

We are called to:

• persevere
• proclaim
• remain unashamed

So that when we stand before God, we do so as workers who do not shrink back, but who were faithful with what we were given.

Run Today’s Play:

First, examine your aim.
Are you living for the approval of people—or the approval of God?

Second, commit to truth.
Spend time in God’s Word today and seek to understand it clearly.

Third, speak and stand for Christ.
Take one opportunity today to represent Jesus openly.

Because one day you will stand before Him.

And the question will not be what others thought of you…

but whether you were approved by God.