You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1)
Here is a great word of encouragement before us today. The same grace that saves us is the same grace that strengthens us and ultimately sanctifies us all the way into glory. And know this truth, when Jesus gives out His grace, He is never diminished because of it, for He is the fountain head that ever flows with unending rivers of grace.
Consider the depths of the meaning of “strengthened by the grace of Jesus.” Is it not the grace that continually forgives you? Is it not the grace that systematically sanctifies you by conforming you more and more into the image of the Son? It is not the grace that lifts you out of the depths of despair? Is it not the grace that empowers you in persecution? Is it not the grace that secures you in the storms of life? Is it not the grace that preserves you from beginning to end? Is it not the grace that grows your understanding of who your God truly is and what He has called you to do for His glory and the good of others? Surely we cannot ever plumb the depths of all that our Lord’s grace does for us.
This grace is as unending as it is unalterable and it is available for all those who are in Christ. As the branch receives nutrients from the trunk of the tree to grow, so to the Christian who is connected by grace through faith to Christ. You don’t need to ask for it and you don’t need to hope for it. This grace simply faithfully flows from the Head to the body, strengthening you for the work God has given to you. The more you recognize this truth the more you will rest in the power of it.
Not knowing where this finds you today, let me simply encourage you that this grace has come to you as a gift and cannot ever be taken away. Jesus purchased this grace with His precious blood on the cross, drinking the full cup of God’s wrath, and makes it available for all who are willing to trust in Him alone. Remember, grace is growing you and it will not stop until you are full grown and perfected in Christ because He who began this good work in grace has promised to complete it in grace. You have His Word on that truth.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
