2 Timothy 2:11-13

Growing up, my mother and I had a consistent relationship. I consistently misbehaved, and she consistently punished me for it. Teaching me that actions have consequences was one of the most loving thing she ever did. Parents who say they love their children too much to punish them are either lying or do not know what real love is. When a child grows up they will have to live in a world where actions have consequences. The sooner they learn that, the sooner they will be able to begin succeeding in life.

What is true in the world as a whole is also true in the kingdom of God. The song that Paul is quoting in these verses gives clear examples of actions having consequences. It tells us that if we die with Christ, we will also live with him and that if we endure, we will also reign with him. That is a promise, and it is good news. However there is also a warning. We still have freedom and bad choices still have bad consequences.

Many Christians want to believe that once we enter into the family of God, the law of consequences no longer applies. They believe that everything is covered by God’s grace. They are partially correct; grace does cover when we miss the mark. However, these verses teach that the law of consequences remains in effect.

We do not nullify freewill by choosing to accept God’s gift of adoption into his family. As brothers and sisters of Christ, we now have an option that only family members have. Disowning is an action that can only be taken within a family. We cannot disown a stranger. If we choose to disown God and his family, we are choosing to be faithless. God will honor our choice, and He will disown us. He cannot do otherwise and remain faithful to us, and Himself. God gave us the freedom to choose and He loves us too much to make a mockery of our choice.