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2Timothy 2.11-13 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. (NKJV)

This is a faithful saying: If we deny Him, He will also deny us.

“If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”

Ah, the famous words of Peter (Matt 26.35). No doubt in our heart and feelings, we would sincerely declare the very same words. Very soon, Peter would be tested by threat of death and he did indeed deny His Lord.

How would we fare in such circumstances? We like to think that martyrdom and persecution would be insufficient to cause us to deny Christ. Christian history records many stories of professing Christians who recanted their faith at the first threat of death or deprivation. Still others denied Christ only after enduring unspeakable tortures. Many of those repented of their denial and went on to suffer even greater sacrifice successfully.

“If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” Before making such a bold assertion, ask yourself this: do you deny Him now in your everyday life? If yes, what makes you think you would not deny Him in suffering and death?

If we deny Him in the little, comfortable, non-threatening aspects of our life (Luke 16.10), what reason do we have to think we would not deny Him when confronted with sacrifice, persecution, torture or martyrdom? There are many more ways to deny Christ than just with words.

  • We can deny Him with our time
    • Do you make time for the Lord every day or is He denied access to your life because of your busy schedule? Or simple laziness? Or is it just not that important to you? Do you just simply have better things to do?
    • Can you seem to make time for all sorts of “other” things but convince yourself there’s just not enough time for more of God?
    • What activities can you wake up early for, scrape up money for, find the energy for or change your schedule for… but it’s just “impossible” to do the same for the things of God?
      • Can you somehow find money to get that newer car or new clothes but just can’t squeeze another penny out for “yet another” missionary?
      • Can you get up at 5am to go golfing but proclaim God made you a “night person” when it comes to getting up to pray and read God’s word?
      • Can you manage to adjust your schedule for something pleasurable, but find it impossible to do the same for a need at church?
      • Are you just too tired to spend time with God, yet boast of your ability to “do whatever it takes to get the job done” at work?
  • We can deny Him with our money and material blessings
    • Even the poorest in America are rich by Biblical standards. Do you spend your money on your “lifestyle” or do you invest it in heavenly treasure?
    • Do you deny God the right to dictate how you spend HIS money?
    • Is Christ magnified or denied by a glance at your check register?
  • We can deny Him by our behavior
    • Are people drawn to Christ by your attitudes, integrity and demeanor?
    • Do you deny your own annoyances, irritations, bad moods, improper language and worldliness in exchange for the attributes of Christ? Or is He denied because you choose to behave however you happen to feel at the moment?
    • Is Jesus denied in others lives because of your bad temper, selfishness, aggressiveness, impatience or lack of love?
    • Is the King denied the throne of your life because you are seated very comfortably and quite contented on it yourself?
  • We can deny Christ by a lack of courage or embarrassment
    • When is the last time you spoke out boldly to defend Christ’s name?
    • Can you remember the last time you were persecuted in any way for proclaiming God’s truth at work, to your friends, to a stranger, to your family?
    • Do you “keep quiet” when the Lord has put an obvious opportunity in front of you to speak out in His name?
    • Do you tremble at the thought of confronting sin? Witnessing? Sharing your testimony? Proclaiming what God has done in your life?

Recanting our faith under torture and persecution is not something we most likely will be faced with today or tomorrow. But denying Christ in our everyday choices, priorities, behavior and lives is something we should give great thought to.

If we deny Him, He will deny us.

  • If we deny Him as Savior, He will deny us salvation.
  • If we deny Him our time, He will deny us His fellowship.
  • If we deny Him our money and resources, He will deny us His blessing of spiritual prosperity, peace and joy.
  • If we deny Him in our behavior, He will deny us growth and spiritual power.
  • If we deny Him in cowardice and embarrassment, He will deny us His presence.

In contrast, the blessing of proclaiming Him stands equally true… no, even greater! The Lord is always faithful!

Proclaim Him as Savior, be courageous in standing for Truth, sacrifice your time and money for Christ. Let your behavior be so Godly as to draw those around you to want to know the Source of your life. Whatever we do for Him in truth and spirit, He will reward in infinitely greater quality and quantity.

Are you denying Christ today with word? In time? By behavior? Through fear of man?

Lord, reveal in us today any area of our lives that denies You. May our time, money, resources, talents, priorities and behavior proclaim You as Master in every way. Let us bring every area and aspect of our life into conformity with Your will so that no one around us may be denied You… because of me. Amen.

Contemplation: Are their any areas of your life that deny Christ? How does that denial affect the rest of your Christian walk?

Application: All areas of our Christian life are interdependent. A neglecting of one affects all. Examine your life for “denials” of Christ and ask God for help to change.

  1. What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
  2. What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
  3. What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?


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