Text: 2 Timothy 2:1-7, 2 Corinthians 13:14
Introduction
Grace is defined as undeserved or un-merited favor. It is also divine enablement. Just as we are saved by grace – Eph 2:8-9, we should live by grace – Col 2:6. What you are not able to do; God enables you to do them.
It connotes that the grace can be available and you can use all in it. This is a dimension of abounding or growing in the grace of Jesus Christ – Rom 5:20, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Phil 1:9, 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:12 & 2 Pet 3:18.
What does it mean to be strong in the grace?
- It means to be strengthened in the Savior, which is in Christ Jesus.
- It means to renew one’s strength through the grace of Christ.
- It means to be strengthened inwardly.
- It means to empower yourself through the grace of Christ.
- It means not to confide in one’s own strength but that of Jesus Christ.
The Good News Version of the Bible says, “Be strong through the grace that is ours in union with Christ Jesus” The Living Bible translation says “Be strong with the strength Christ Jesus has given you”. Another version of the Bible says “you must keep renewing your strength in the spiritual blessing that comes through the union with Christ Jesus”. The Amplified Bible says, “be strong (strengthened inwardly) in the grace (spiritual blessing) that is to be found only in Christ Jesus. Yet another version of the Bible says “Be strong in the help which comes from your union with Christ”.
Why you need to be strong in the grace of Christ?
1. Christian suffering (trials) is part of the package you receive when you get saved. For you to become what God wants you to become, (become perfect and be well established in Christ) you have to go through these. You therefore cannot do without the grace of God –
1 Pet 5:10.
2. When you are strong in the grace of Christ, you are able to do the work of the Lord effectively – 1 Corinthians 15:10.
3. When you are strong in the grace of God, you are able to overcome every opposition of the enemy – 1 Pet 5:8-9.
4. When you are strong in the grace of God, you are able to overcome inner weakness and disabilities – 2 Corinthians 12:9. God’s grace is sufficient for you.
5. You are also able to do the will of God in all circumstances without compromise –
Rom 12:1-2.
6. You are able to affect many other lives. You become a source of encouragement and help to others. You can only help others when you are strong yourself.
7. God is pleased with you when you are strong in the grace of Christ – Heb 11:6.
How can I be strong in the grace?
1. By trusting completely in Christ and His power, and not trying to live for Christ in our own strength alone. Receive and utilize Christ’s power and He will you the strength to do His work – Matt 11:28-30.
2. By hearing the instructions of God through his servants and doing them – Matt 7:24,
Mk 4:14, Luke 8:18, Rom 2:13, 2 Timothy 2:2, James 1:22 & 25.
3. Commit those things you have heard to faithful men – 2 Tim 2:2. There is need to entrust, transmit, deliver or hand over the same to reliable men, so that they can teach others –
1 Corinthians 11:23, 15:1 & 3.
Question: Are doing what you are hearing? Are you putting into action what you are hearing? If not then there will be no growth.
4. You must endure hardness or hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ – 2 Timothy 2:3 & 1 Timothy 1:18. Warring or fighting is a hard task. The more you endure, the more the grace is given – Isa 40:29-31. Grace in released in process of endurance.
5. You should not entangle yourself with worldly affairs – 2 Timothy 2: 4 & 1 Cor. 9:25. Grace is meant for work and purpose.
6. Do not get involved in civilian pursuits. We should not get entangled with business affairs of life. A soldier who fights does not have time for civilian pursuit. You must face the business of living daily squarely. Don’t sacrifice ministry at the affairs of your job. Business pursuance of worldly affairs reduces the grace of God. Get your priorities right.
Work excellently and according to the rule of the game – 2 Timothy 2:5. You only win prizes when you compete according to the rules. You are only awarded the wreath of victory when you follow the rules. We should not just work, the ‘how’ of it is very vital. We become stronger when we follow the ‘how’ of it.
- How should we pray?
- How should we give?
- How should we fast?
- How should we evangelize?
- How should we work?
You and I are only crowned when we follow the rules of the game. You can only get to heaven through Jesus and not on your own – Eph 2:8.
7. We need to be hardworking and not slothful. Grace does not multiply until we work. Grace is only released to those who will use it to do the work of the Lord – 2 Timothy 2:6 &
1 Corinthians 15:10. Avoid intellectual and spiritual sloth. Reading, praying, memorizing and studying the word is vital. You are rewarded first when you work hard. The toiling husbandman has first claim on the crop.
8. Consider what the Lord says – 2 Timothy 2:7. We are not to consider what man says. Meditate on God’s word. Don’t let them depart from the midst of your heart – Prov. 4:20-23. Another translation says “keep on thinking about what I am saying”. We meditate on it. Another one says “reflect on what I am telling you”. Yet another version says “grasp the sense of what I am saying i.e. have understanding of it” – Psalm 1:1-2, 19:14, 104:34, 119:97, Prov. 4:7 & 16:22. When you consider what you have heard, understanding & discernment comes after. Don’t forget these things.
9. Follow good examples of those who are strong in the grace of God. Paul said, “Consider what I say” i.e. follow what I say or my examples – 1 Corinthians 11:1 & Eph 5:1.
Conclusion
You can be strong in the grace of God no matter where you are, what you are doing, how small you think you are.
If you are asked to be strong, that means that there is tendency to be weak in the grace –
Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 46:2, Eph 6:10 & Phil 4:13.
That also means that there is a big task / challenge that lies ahead. Grace is available and yet one can fail to tap into it and be strong in it. Hence be strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:11 – “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.”
May his grace be multiplied to you in Jesus name, Amen.