2 Timothy 2:1 – “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in thy grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
This scripture is an important encouragement. Paul knew that Timothy would need strength and endurance to fulfill the calling God gave him. Timothy was naturally timid and easily discouraged so he often needed a reminder to be strong. To be strong, not with mere natural strength but with the power to live the Christian life. Timothy could only get this power by the grace, which is in Christ Jesus. This grace is the kindness of Christ. With the help of Christ, Timothy could be strong. Paul, who knew what it was like to receive the strength of God’s grace, encouraged Timothy from his experience– when God said to Paul “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Christ gives this strength to those who ask for it. God is always there to make the resource of His strength available to us. He gives power to the weak, to those with no might. But this strength will not come if we sit back passively and wait for God to pour it into us. God brings His strength to us, when we seek and rely on Him instead of our own strength. Paul told Timothy the ‘exact way’ to be strong – be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. This strength in grace is essential for a strong Christian life. Grace means ‘divine help’, ‘the unmerited gift of assistance that comes from God’. This grace gives us a confidence and boldness that we could never have, if we relied on ourselves or was not confident about God’s ability. We get strength when we say “I am a child of God in Jesus Christ” and “I have the love and favor of God even though I don’t deserve it.” It is then that we get the strength that comes by grace.
As our trials increase, we need to grow stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger, our resolution stronger, our love to God and Christ stronger. This is opposed to our being strong in our own strength. As believers we must aim to please Christ. We ought to strive to master over our lusts and corruptions, but we cannot expect the prize unless we observe the laws. We must do the will of God, before we receive the promises, therefore we need patience. Together with our prayers for others, we must exhort and stir them up to consider the Word that they heard or read. Be strong, relying on the grace which only the Lord Jesus can impart!
