You will note that he uses the term, "my gospel." His gospel, good news, that he refers to is not something that he has written; it is something that he has accepted as his own, as his way of life. In other words, the gospel is not just words to be read, it is words that are put into action in his life. The gospel is lived by St. Paul.

He even goes farther than that when he talks about being in chains ands says the gospel is not chained. Even today when people talk about St. Paul, they are talking about the gospel he lived and the good news of that gospel continues.

This faith, this Living for Jesus, is the reason St. Paul could write what he calls a faithful saying.

If WE, THEN HE...... If we died with Him, we shall live with Him. This refers to our daily renewal of our Baptism. IF WE daily take our sinful selves to Christ of the Cross, THEN HE forgives us our sins and we begin a new life in Him. We do this daily until that final time before death or His Return. Then we shall live with Him Eternally.

"If we endure, We shall also reign with Him." This is the imprisoned, chained St. Paul writing these words. What endurance that must have taken. IF WE keep our eyes upon Jesus and let Him lead us through our trials, temptations and tribulations, THEN HE will on that last day say, "Come ye Blessed of My Father, reign with me." That means no more trials, temptations or tribulations, no more chains.

"If we deny Him, He also will deny us." Just remember that as faithful as God is with His promises to those who follow His Word, He is equally faithful in His warnings to those who deny Him. Thus it goes like this, IF WE deny Him as our Lord and Savior THEN HE will on the last Day say, "Depart from Me."

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." This is extremely important. Sometimes we read what we want to read and not what is written. Some who read this will read the fourth word as "faithful" rather that "faithless" as it is written. We all know that God remains faithful to those who follow His Word and His Will. Some people have the false belief that when it says God will remain faithful to the faithless, it means that no matter what we do, in the end it will be okay. It does not mean that at all. When Jesus says, "I am the Way....and no one shall come unto the Father but by Me," He will be faithful to that statement. So, IF WE choose not to follow the teachings of Jesus, THEN HE will be faithful and the gates of Heaven will be closed to us.

Remember, this is St. Paul writing. St. Paul who has gone through so much only because he has been strengthened by the Holy Spirit. IF HE, after all he has gone through, can say it is worth it because of the glories awaiting me along the tender, loving Presence of God, THEN WE would do well to listen.

IF WE turn to God in prayer asking for the Holy Spirit to grant us strength and power as we seek to do His will, THEN HE will fulfill our prayers beyond our imagination.