If we are not faithful, he remains faithful, because he cannot be false to himself. ( 2 Timothy 2:13) This is the only use of the word “cannot” in reference to the risen Jesus in all of the New Testament. The words are St. Paul’s to his much loved co-worker Timothy, written from Paul’s prison cell in Rome. In spite of all the adversity Paul had experienced and all that Timothy was experiencing in Ephesus, Paul expressed the faithfulness of Christ to his own people, even if they had begun to lose their faith in Him.

Jesus’ risen “self” will always be mysterious to us, but Paul makes clear a steadfastness in Jesus that is celebrated and experienced by Moses and David among others of the Old Testament, even before Christ’s resurrection: Not to us, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. (Psalm 115:1) Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 22-23)

The great faithfulness of God is what strengthened Jesus to face his adversaries all the way to the cross. It is the glue that holds together those who are pressed hard by circumstances and griefs. Paul knew that it did not originate in human beings, but in God Himself. He bestowed it as part of His character upon those capable of believing, and and even those whose belief was weak or wavering.

The airman who was rescued from a crevice in a cliff in Iran spoke his faith on seeing his American rescuers . His first words were, “God is good.” God’s goodness is conveyed in His faithfulness, a faithfulness that He looks for in His people. St. Paul recognized that it originated not in himself, but in God: He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done, but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior. (2Timothy 1:9-10)

It can be hard to believe things we cannot see and touch, but God supplies the means for us to believe in giving us His son, who was seen and touched by many. In this God kept faith so that those who believe would know that it is not in ourselves, but in Him where faith resides. It is a gift we can ask for and receive.

Love in Him,

Prue