STRONG IN GRACE
2 Timothy 2:1 NKJV
1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Paul did not have biological children of his own. But he considered Timothy to be his son in the faith. And he often referred to Timothy as his son. So it’s easy to discern that Paul had care and concern for Timothy and wanted the very best for him. Paul, in the second chapter, has an abundance of good advice for his son. The first piece of advice has to do with being strong.
Paul wrote to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. I find it intriguing that Paul did not tell Timothy to be strong in his pastoral gifting. He did not focus Timothy on the direction of being strong in his gifting as a preacher and teacher. He would later tell Timothy to preach the Word. And he did encourage Timothy to study to show himself approved, rightly dividing the word of truth. Paul emphasized correct doctrine and preparedness, but he told Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
So what does that mean, be strong in the grace that is in Christ? This is not an exhortation to be strong in personality. We have all encountered strong personalities. But strong personalities do not always equate to being strong spiritually. Many strong personalities are not strong people.
Paul was not speaking of physical strength. It’s not that Paul was against exercise; he simply recognized physical training as being beneficial for a short time, in this life only, and having no effect on eternity. Paul seemed to live with a consciousness of life on earth as temporary, and what mattered was what impacted this life and the next.
No, being strong in the grace that’s in Christ Jesus goes far beyond physical strength or force of personality. This is about understanding what Jesus accomplished for us in his life, death, burial, and resurrection. Not only what Jesus did, but how what He did impacted us. Paul had a revelation from the Lord about the grace that is available to all believers. Being strong in grace is being strong in the fact that we are new creations in Christ. Strong in the forgiveness that grace has provided for us. Strong in the acceptance and favor that we have because we have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Paul never wrote for Timothy to be strong and hold out until the end when we get to heaven. Paul wanted Timothy strong in righteousness, wisdom, being set apart for God. He wanted Timothy strong in the fact that he was delivered from the power of Satan and was a child of God and a citizen of God’s kingdom. It was Paul who wrote of the unsearchable riches of Christ. Be strong, Timothy, in what God in His grace has done for you in Christ Jesus.
APPLICATION
One of the most practical ways to become strong in grace is to first know what grace has done and then build that into our lives. Reading, meditating, or thinking deeply and confessing, speaking the scriptures, helps make spiritual realities more real to us. Strength is built by hearing and doing. One of the best ways to begin to act on God’s Word is to thank Him as you speak His words about you.
So know what grace has done. Thank God for what grace has done for you and speak words of grace over your life. Being strong in grace is not automatic, but it is obtainable.
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for what grace has done for me through Christ. Thank You that I can grow stronger in that grace in my life.