STRENGTHENED BY GRACE

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”–2 Timothy 2:1 Life is tough and we all struggle. There are no “super-saints”. In and of ourselves, we can do nothing. And we are often frustrated because of it. Yet, it is a good day when we come to realize that we are weak. As confusing as it might seem to some, Paul was right when he said,”When I am weak, then am I strong.”(2 Corinthians 12:10). A sense of weakness makes us desperate and drives us to seek a source of strength. Paul had discovered that the only true source of strength is God’s grace. That’s why he took pleasure in his problems and sought to encourage others with this truth.(2 Corinthians 12:9-10).   Paul isn’t telling Timothy to muster up his own strength, as though he could, but to be strengthened. There is a big difference! We have no real strength of our own. God alone is the source of our strength. Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). Through Him we can do “all things”(Philippians 4:13). If you refuse to believe that, you are in trouble. We find strength for the struggle only “in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”   Jerry Bridges wrote:”Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace, nor are your best days ever so good that you are beyond the need of it.” That’s good advice!   The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you!