Today’s verse is just a single Line from the Apostle Paul. From 2 Timothy chapter 2, its opening Sentence: “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
An older Preacher written to a younger Preacher … “Be STRONG in the GRACE that is in Christ Jesus.”
So I have just leaned that a Christian can possibly be “weak” in Grace! The Galatian Believers certainly were, or had become that way … “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5:4 … I do not believe Paul is here insinuating that they had “lost” their eternal salvation. But they certainly were no longer “strong” in the Grace of God, either!)
If I know my heart, I long to be “strong in Grace.” But I have already been saved by Grace. What else can Grace do in my liife?
It continues to mold me, to make me what I ought to be for Jesus’ Sake! Remember Paul’s inspired words: “But by the grace of God I am what I am.” 1 Corinthians 15:10
Grace also propels me, motivates me to serve the Lord, to work harder for Him! Paul again: “I laboured more abundantly than they all (the other disciples): yet not I, but the GRACE of God which was with me.” Still quoting 1 Corinthians 15:10!
I just found 99 times that Paul uses the word “Grace” in his Epistles, counting Hebrews! He is indeed the Apostle of God’s Grace! (The noun “Grace” is only used 170 times in the whole Bible, folks!) Amazing indeed!
And He (this unique Grace Preacher) admonishes us to be “strong” in that marvellous Grace! That verb, “endunamoo,” essentially means “empowered!” More literally I think, “to be made able!”
Astounding!
But how, just how can I be stronger in this Grace?
Back to our Text … “Be strong in the grace that is IN Christ Jesus.” Go to the Source, the Very Reservoir of God’s Grace! Grace that is “in” Jesus Christ! Ask Him for stronger Grace! He is the Channel through Whom God’s Grace flows!
Watch 1 Corinthians 13:14, a powerful prayer: “THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” That first part of this compound petition proves that this Grace whereof I so speak is the “property” of the Lord Jesus Christ! “Of the Lord Jesus Christ” is framed in the “genitive” case, the “possessive” case! He so-to-speak “owns” that Grace!
I suggest that to be strong in Grace we must live close to Jesus! Live “in” Jesus, just as well say. (“If ye abide in Me and My Words abide in you ….” Jesus Himself, recorded in John 15:7.)
Wow!
This Lesson is really getting interesting!
Now … you and the Holy Spirit can take this thought from here, surely! “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
Amen!
I imagine there is living grace, and dying grace, and every other kind of grace one will need too! Peter even called it “multi-colored” Grace, study the word “manifold” in 1 Peter 4:10!
Learn about it.
Exercise yourself in it.
Grow in it, 2 Peter 3:18!
Wow!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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