Welcome to Day 1 of The Challenge! Our verse to memorize today is II Timothy 2:1:
~
"Thou therefore, my son, be strong
in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
~
As I began to think upon this verse, the word "therefore" caught my attention. This word refers to things that Paul mentioned in the previous chapter. Therefore, to understand the context better we must look back at chapter 1. There Paul reminds Timothy of the time the elders laid hands on him. He encourages him to not be ashamed of the testimony and message that they had to share with others (verse 8). He also challenges him to stand for the truth that he had been taught (verse 13).
Then, in chapter 2, Paul exhorts Timothy and us all that because of these things we need to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." The word strong in the Greek means "to empower, enable; increase in strength." The Greek word for grace is charis, which means "graciousness, the divine influence upon the heart and it’s reflection in the life." In the light of these definitions, we could rewrite the verse to clarify the meaning of the passage:
Because of our testimony and the gospel that needs proclaimed, as well as the truth that must be stood for, You, my son, need to continually increase and be strengthened and empowered with the desire and heart that reflects Christ’s character—and this is found in Christ Jesus.
I love how that verse centers and ends with a focus on the One who is the source of all power, the essence of all truth and the Giver of grace—the Lord Jesus Christ. May God bless each of us with a new measure of grace that we may continually do His perfect will.
~ Chad Paine
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January 1st, 2009 at 6:15 am
Thank you Chad for those powerful thoughts! It is amazing to see how each verse we read is full of power that can change our lives.
January 1st, 2009 at 8:03 am
It is amazing to how the Lord works!! As a famliy, we go through books/chapters of the Bible one verse at a time, similarly to how they are doing here on the website. Anyway, the book we just finished was…. 2 Timothy… not only that but even before my Father chose that book to study…while i was taking a course this summer, the chapter that was the main focus was… 2 Timothy 2… = )
One quote that my father says whenever we come across a “therefore” in the Scriptures is to see why its ” there for”. Chad did a great job in answering that question. I also liked how the verse was completly focusing on Christ! For this upcoming year, may Jesus be kept in the center and focus of all our lives!
~Is. 43,60
January 1st, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I really appreciate what is being shared, especially the emphasis on the person of Jesus Christ!
One cross reference that stood out to me as I was meditating on the verse today was James 4:6. Grace is a gift from God. Who does he give it to? “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” That is definitely a motivation to humble myself so that I can “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
January 1st, 2009 at 7:49 pm
wow.. i encouraga to join in memorizing the verses.. thank you brother robert staddon to encourage me..
thank you for the people who are being a good examples for to serve God..
i wanna say hi to kuya ryan barth,, how are you kuya?
and i how are you too kuya david..
thank you for the good impact you shared to me..
God bless you all..
January 1st, 2009 at 8:42 pm
[...] of insight or encouragement from each verse of the chapter. I enjoyed what Chad Paine shared from II Timothy 2:1 this [...]
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:12 am
It’s amazing how one small verse can contain such riches. I love how the verse totally focuses on Christ. I had never seen it in that light before. Meditating on this verse today has already given me a deep desire and a hunger for more of Christ! The thing that stood out to me was the fact that I must continually be empowered…etc. It’s an ongoing process!
I enjoyed reading Chad’s inspirational insights. They were read aloud to our family at breakfast.
Good point, Robert! Thanks for sharing it.
This has been a great way to start out the new year! May the Lord bless you all with a heart that seeks after Him and pursues His ways!
January 2nd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
oh wow!! this is the best way to start out this year!!..I’ll start today! =)
January 2nd, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Amen!
January 3rd, 2009 at 1:28 am
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, . . .
(1 Cor. 1:4)
But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(2 Cor 12:9)
who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,. . .
(2 Tim. 1:9)
It is interesting that this subject of grace in Christ should be mentioned. Just before Christmas I had the opportunity to spend a day alone with the Word of God. One of the major themes that kept coming to my attention was this gift of grace. It is clear that grace is given at salvation and is necessary along with the peace of God in order to live a victorious Christian life. Grace and peace are the two things with which almost every epistle is opened. In 2 Peter we are exhorted to grow in the grace that is found in Christ Jesus. When I came away from that study, I came away with the insight that grace can be understood as favor. It is necessary for an effective Christian witness to evidence both the grace/favor and peace of God. If we as believers are not evidencing the favor of God upon our lives, or demonstrating the peace of God in our attitudes and actions then not only are we living in disobedience but we have reason to question our claim to being in Christ.