Strengthened by Grace

Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 2 Timothy 2:1
^{Text: 2 Timothy 2:1-7}
Grace is the only thing that can strengthen our hearts without the harmful and devastating side-effects of pride.

Giving up your life for Jesus and His kingdom is hard. Loving others as much as you love yourself is not our default. Living for Jesus requires suffering, straining, obeying, and sacrificing. 

In our pursuit of holiness and selflessness, it is natural (fleshly) for us to forsake our dependence upon God and find relief in our own piety. Only grace can deliver us from ourselves and from "human righteousness." Paul tells Timothy in chapter 2, verse 1:

Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus (NLT).

Phillip Yancy wrote, "The solution to sin is not to impose an ever-stricter code of behavior. It is to know God.” The more we understand how kind God has been to us in Christ and the more we are overcome by His mercy, the more we are inclined to love Him and love others. Grace strengthens us! The gospel motivates us to "deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). The gospel motivates us to live verse 2:

² and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

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Yesterday's Application: