Strong in the Grace

II Timothy 2:1-2 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

So often when I read this verse,  I considered 'grace' as something having to do with 'never forgetting how God changed my heart' so that I could better help others. I perceived 'grace' as kindness. There is so much more to this verse, starting with being 'empowered by grace that is in Christ Jesus'. Christ Jesus is a messianic title. To engage the risen Christ in our lives is a powerful concept. Of course we are changed! What changed Paul on the road to Damascus? What he experienced was dramatic!

Grace is empowering. Grace is about what God has done or is doing, not what we have done. That is what we help others with.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

What is clear in Romans is that grace is free from merit. God is absolutely amazing! Jesus Christ had to believe in God's grace to do what he did. When he stepped in front of the 5000, the sanhedrin, the woman at the well, or prayed in the garden of Gethsemane and hung ultimately on the tree (cross), he knew God would empower him. He exemplified power and authority everywhere he went.

The world is not an easy place, that was determined a long time ago as recorded in Genesis 3, however God provided another way:

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the workS of the devil. (I John 3:8)

The devil loves 'works'. He is not about imparting 'grace'. Grace is free. The devil is all about obligation. Anything the evil gives has a price. God has paid that one all time price of error in Genesis 3 through Jesus Christ , the second Adam. It is done, finished and overwith for those who choose to believe. That is what we simply and

freely have to share with others.