2 Timothy 2 - Why Is Grace So Amazing?

2 Timothy 2 - NIV

2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

We know grace is a gift. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. Grace is often explained by the acronym, "God's Riches At Christ's Expense!" It is by grace God saved us, and His grace will lead us home. 

So, what does Paul mean when he tells Timothy to be "strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

Timothy had been given a huge job by Paul to lead and pastor the church in Ephesus. It was a big church, and there were divison, false teaching, and temptation of all kinds. So where should Timothy turn for the strength he will need to be faithful to God's mission there? Answer. God's grace! 

In another passage in 1 Corinthians Paul says God said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness."

God's grace gives us strength when we feel weak. God's grace gives us forgiveness when we feel condemned because of our sin. God's grace gives us wisdom when we are not sure which direction to turn. God's grace gives us peace when we are surrounded on every side by those who doubt us or undermine our leadership. 

Most of all grace is the power and presence of Jesus working and living inside of us. Grace keeps us humble when we are tempted to think it is all about us. Or we assume we deserve the praise and adultaiton of others for all the things we are doing "for the Lord". 

So grace is not just the gift that gives us salvation in Christ. Grace is with us from start to finish. When we see others that have fallen or given into sexual immorality, instead of judging them we can say, "If not for the grace of God there go I!" 

When you truly understand grace it is hard to be judgmental, because you are realize that you didn't get what you deserved, so why should you judge whether someone else deserves it. There is no worse or better sin. We tend to categorize sin by what we think is particularly distateful to God. But we all sin and fall far short of God's glory. 

Friends, God has entrusted to us the mission to go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all that He is commanded us. 

If we are going to be faithful to that mission we are going to need grace and lots of it! 




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