“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus”
Read: (2 Tim 1:15-2:3)
We are to be strong in grace, not in self, and all grace is in Christ the Lord. It is only by believing on and receiving from Him that we can be saved and endure to the end; it is only as we BELIEVE what He gives to sinners.
First, the grace of God is in Christ because He earned it. He laid down His life to pay for the sins, so that God may be gracious. He paid the debt, so God can GIVE forgiveness (Hos 3:2-3). He obeyed God, so that God can impute righteousness to the believing.
He is the gracious God, secondly, because not only did He give, but He gives continually. He didn't only lay down His life, but He DEMONSTRATED the magnitude of His love and now GIVES everything continually and freely. The continuance of grace, that grace that you repeatedly get after sin, is special; it is unfolding the character of God, for none of us could endure graciously with sinners. He is the Giver of everything, which is Himself and every blessing of love, and He gives FREELY, from the heart, and without cause in us.
Thirdly, this grace is ONLY seen as Christ is preached. Take away Christ, and you remove grace. Don't preach Christ, and people can't be saved. So, it isn't enough to be religious or open a bible; we must SEE the grace of Christ in the pages, so that we have strength to endure, promises to sinners, and grace in the hour of need (Heb 4:15-16).
Lastly, the graciousness of God is the gospel's glory. Be strong in its ability to make you godly (2 Tim 2:2-3).
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