Grace Given

“As for you, my son, be strong through the grace that is ours in union with Christ Jesus.” (2Timothy 2:1)

Paul writes to Timothy, a young pastor at the church in Ephesus. Paul gives him some advice. The Scripture above is one. Paul advices Timothy to be strong, empowered and enabled. What Paul means is that he received that inner strength of soul (mind, will, emotions) and purpose through the gift of favor and blessing through Jesus.

First let’s look at the “grace that is ours in union with Christ Jesus.” Paul had written earlier in chapter 1 “He saved us and called us to be His own people, not because of what we have done, but because of His own purpose and grace. He gave us this grace by means of Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but now it has been revealed to us through the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He has ended the power of death and through the gospel has revealed immortal life.” (2Timothy 1:9-10) We find that grace is saving grace. Grace preached in the Gospel enables us and empowers us to be saved. The Gospel reveals that death has no more power and that there is eternal life available to those who believe in Jesus. “For God has revealed His grace for the salvation of all people. That grace instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this world,” (Tit 2:11-12) God’s grace enables us and empowers us to live in a way that pleases Him.

John the Baptist in pointing out Who Jesus was said, “God gave the Law through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17) Remember the Law were dos and don’ts that revealed we were not able to be righteous before God. “For no one is put right in God's sight by doing what the Law requires; what the Law does is to make us know that we have sinned.” (Romans 3:20) Jesus, our Savior came to bring the gift of God’s favor and blessing in salvation. “For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.” (Ephesians 2:8) Salvation comes through grace, God’s gift of favor and blessing because of His mercy, not because we deserved it.

Jesus tells those who want to be with Him to take up their cross and follow Him. “And He said to them all, "If you want to come with Me, you must forget yourself, take up your cross every day, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23 & Matthew 16:24) What that means is go to the cross just like Jesus did. Put to death all personal dreams and desires and see what Jesus wants. That’s what Paul did. He forsook everything to follow Jesus even to his beheading in Rome. When Paul had a persistent problem. Paul prayed three times for the Lord to remove the problem. “But His answer was: "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak." I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me.” (2Corinthians 12:9) The Lord told Paul that His favor and blessing would enable him and empower him in a greater way because he was weaker. And isn’t that true. As long as we are going in our strength, we feel we don’t need the Lord. But the Lord wants us to depend on Him in even the tiniest things. When we are weak and unable to go on in our strength, then God can demonstrate His power in His enabling and empowering.

“May grace and peace be yours in full measure through your knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2Peter 1:2) Grace can abound or overflow in our lives when we grow in our knowledge of God and Jesus. One way this will happen is through prayer which is talking with God. It’s not talking to God, but rather talking with Him, speaking and listening, having a conversation with Him and building a relationship with Him. Another way to grow in grace is to study His Word, what He has said and how He has dealt with others in times past.

James gives us some understanding of God’s grace saying it’s greater when we humble ourselves and when we weep over our sins and trespasses. The Lord will lift us up. “But the grace that God gives is even stronger. As the scripture says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! Be sorrowful, cry, and weep; change your laughter into crying, your joy into gloom! Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:6-10) The Lord will lift us up from our sorrow and from our earthly and temporal ways to live according to His way; a way that is far beyond what we think or imagine.