Paul’s admonition in 2 Timothy 2:1, is amazingly sublime, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
There are truths that are intimated by these simple words. First, it affirms Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The redemptive grace of God is accomplished through the sacrifice of His Son. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).
Second, it affirms that God’s will for any individual can be resisted and thwarted. Stephen told the Jews, “You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you” (Acts 7:51). Though God is “not willing that any should perish” (cf. 2 Peter 3:9), some refuse to come to repentance.
Consequently, we understand our responsibility to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling! (Philippians 2:12). This does not mean that God’s sovereignty is denied, nor does it in anyway indicate that we earn our salvation by works of merit. Rather, it acknowledges man’s free will, and the obligation of our salvation debt.
Paul understood it, do we? “Be strong in the grace”!
