Be Strong…

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

Without the first verse of the second chapter of 2 Timothy, we might read the following six verses as an exhortation aimed at Timothy. We might think that Paul points to three examples of how Timothy should be working harder, smarter, and better than he already is. 

But that’s not what Paul is saying. Paul started with something altogether different. He started with an encouragement that would give Timothy so much more than an exhortation to work harder, smarter, better.

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

Did you catch it? Grace. Paul starts with grace.

But what is “grace”? Grace has been defined as “God’s Righteousness At Christ’s Expense” (G.R.A.C.E.). It’s unmerited favor from God—but so much more! Grace is also God’s enabling agent to do what He calls us to do.

To quote the modern-day sage, Rocky Balboa: “It’s not about how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward.”

This is why we need grace—we need God’s gift and ability to get back up again, and again, and again, and again. Because His grace is sufficient for any and every season—whether that be a season of suffering, a season of blessing, or anything in between.