Daily Bread
2 Timothy 2
1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
Observation:
As Paul continues to instruct his young disciple Timothy he urges him to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. That is an interesting phrase, how can you be strong in grace? If grace is a free gift in what sense can we be strong in it. As Paul goes on to describe what this looks like, he uses several analogies such as a soldier, athlete and farmer. In each case though in order for the person to be successful, they have to do the things necessary to receive what they are training for.
Some people misunderstand grace and think it absolves us of all our responsibility to work hard to apprehend all God has in store for us. As we truly understand grace we will not want to cheapen it but show how expensive it truly was. In other words when we understand what Jesus has done for us we are motivated to give our best back to him as our Lord and Master.
Grace means undeserved gift. But just because we don’t deserve it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t use it for God’s glory. This is the same word we use for spiritual gift, “charismata”. God has given us grace in the gifts He has given us to help build His church. This is the sense in which Paul says, “I did not receive His grace in vain.”
Application:
I grew up as an athlete. Most of my young life was spent either playing baseball, football or basketball. I even played hockey one year, but that didn’t last very long because I couldn’t skate very well. I loved competing as an athlete. I loved competing for the crown/championship. I loved playing on a team of those who all wanted to achieve the same goal together.
As I became a believer in Christ, I tried to introduce that competitive nature to a desire to go for the prize that would never fade away. A long time ago someone told me “if you could get as excited about the gospel, as you are about the game you are watching, watch out!”
Although you may not be athletic, I am sure there is something you pursue in life with unbounded enthusiasm and passion. As we discover God’s grace in His Son, our passions and desires can be transformed into a passion and desire to use our lives to compete for a crown that will never fade away.
As you have received God’s grace in Jesus Christ, be strong in it! Keep your focus on the heavenly calling you have in Christ Jesus. Don’t get distracted by things that will not matter in the long run! And finally get others in the game with you.
Prayer: God help us to avoid the many distractions that keep us from running the race and competing for the crown that will never fade away. Give us a passion for things that will have ultimate meaning and worth in this world. As we have received Your grace help us to be strong in it and use the gifts you have given us to bring in Your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name and for His sake, Amen.
1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
Observation:
As Paul continues to instruct his young disciple Timothy he urges him to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. That is an interesting phrase, how can you be strong in grace? If grace is a free gift in what sense can we be strong in it. As Paul goes on to describe what this looks like, he uses several analogies such as a soldier, athlete and farmer. In each case though in order for the person to be successful, they have to do the things necessary to receive what they are training for.
Some people misunderstand grace and think it absolves us of all our responsibility to work hard to apprehend all God has in store for us. As we truly understand grace we will not want to cheapen it but show how expensive it truly was. In other words when we understand what Jesus has done for us we are motivated to give our best back to him as our Lord and Master.
Grace means undeserved gift. But just because we don’t deserve it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t use it for God’s glory. This is the same word we use for spiritual gift, “charismata”. God has given us grace in the gifts He has given us to help build His church. This is the sense in which Paul says, “I did not receive His grace in vain.”
Application:
I grew up as an athlete. Most of my young life was spent either playing baseball, football or basketball. I even played hockey one year, but that didn’t last very long because I couldn’t skate very well. I loved competing as an athlete. I loved competing for the crown/championship. I loved playing on a team of those who all wanted to achieve the same goal together.
As I became a believer in Christ, I tried to introduce that competitive nature to a desire to go for the prize that would never fade away. A long time ago someone told me “if you could get as excited about the gospel, as you are about the game you are watching, watch out!”
Although you may not be athletic, I am sure there is something you pursue in life with unbounded enthusiasm and passion. As we discover God’s grace in His Son, our passions and desires can be transformed into a passion and desire to use our lives to compete for a crown that will never fade away.
As you have received God’s grace in Jesus Christ, be strong in it! Keep your focus on the heavenly calling you have in Christ Jesus. Don’t get distracted by things that will not matter in the long run! And finally get others in the game with you.
Prayer: God help us to avoid the many distractions that keep us from running the race and competing for the crown that will never fade away. Give us a passion for things that will have ultimate meaning and worth in this world. As we have received Your grace help us to be strong in it and use the gifts you have given us to bring in Your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name and for His sake, Amen.
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