A READING FROM 2 TIMOTHY
11 The saying is sure:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
he cannot deny himself.
MESSAGE IN A PARAGRAPH OR TWO
Paul is in prison, in chains, for preaching that Christ was raised from the dead. While his in chains, he says that God’s word is not in chains. Then the passage above what living out our baptism is about. It also shows the consequences of denying Christ.
Verses 11 and 12 are often read at a graveside funeral. They are not intended for the dead. They are for the living who, at the grave, are reminded that life on this earth end. Sometimes it ends unexpectedly. Verses 11 and 12 point us to eternal life.