Be Strong in His Grace

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”  2 Timothy 2:1

In the Old Testament, “grace” (used 69 times) is often applied in the sense of personal favors or physical blessings. “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).

In the New Testament, however, the term (used 156 times) often seems to emphasize God’s personal empowerment or the granting of His unique spiritual favor, as is clear in the wonderful passage Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
   
Once the saving grace has been given, the believer is expected to use that grace with victory in mind - confidence that empowers our spiritual life and witness. We are to be “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

Hence, we are to “be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might” (Eph. 6:10) as we wrestle against the powers of darkness that battle us unceasingly. Although “[we] can do all things through Him who strengthens [us]” (Phil. 4:13), we must remember that those “things” include the entire spectrum of poverty to wealth and from hunger to satisfaction. God’s grace is strong enough to counter every worldly circumstance.

We must remember, however, that even the greatest heroes of the faith endured intense opposition, seasons of pain and privation, and occasionally were tortured to death (Heb. 11:32-38). God’s strong grace is sufficient. “Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord” (2 Cor. 12:1). “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:1).