The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 1:9b-10,
"This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."
The antecedent to "This grace" is what Paul reminds Timothy of in the first part of verse 9, "He has saved us and called us to a holy life..." Paul notes God did this, not as a result of finding us in any way meriting it, but simply because of his grace. Grace is that special expression of God's love for us in the many blessings he has bestowed on us - blessings he has showered us with, not because we deserve them but simply because of a profound and incomprehensible love he has for all mankind.
The culmination of this grace, of course, will only accrue to those who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith. This is the grace Paul speaks of: God does not require us to do anything to receive his blessings of eternal life, as he only requires us to embrace him in faith. This is the gospel message.
The gospel is all and only about faith. It is not about appointment (predestination), it is not about baptism, it is not about joining a certain church or denomination, the gospel is all and only about faith. It is not about attending church each and every Sunday, it is not about the completion of various and sundry spiritual disciplines, it is not about being a do-gooder, the gospel is all and only about faith. Not that any of these things are wrong in themselves (except the silly notion of predestination), it is just that faith is the one and only element that God looks for as he pursues his agenda of salvation through the gospel.
"This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."
The antecedent to "This grace" is what Paul reminds Timothy of in the first part of verse 9, "He has saved us and called us to a holy life..." Paul notes God did this, not as a result of finding us in any way meriting it, but simply because of his grace. Grace is that special expression of God's love for us in the many blessings he has bestowed on us - blessings he has showered us with, not because we deserve them but simply because of a profound and incomprehensible love he has for all mankind.
The culmination of this grace, of course, will only accrue to those who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith. This is the grace Paul speaks of: God does not require us to do anything to receive his blessings of eternal life, as he only requires us to embrace him in faith. This is the gospel message.
The gospel is all and only about faith. It is not about appointment (predestination), it is not about baptism, it is not about joining a certain church or denomination, the gospel is all and only about faith. It is not about attending church each and every Sunday, it is not about the completion of various and sundry spiritual disciplines, it is not about being a do-gooder, the gospel is all and only about faith. Not that any of these things are wrong in themselves (except the silly notion of predestination), it is just that faith is the one and only element that God looks for as he pursues his agenda of salvation through the gospel.
The wonder of the gospel is that it expresses the heart of our God in such a magnificent way! It is through the gospel that life and immortality are made known, are brought to light! It is through the gospel that a way has been made possible for life and immortality for someone as hopeless as me! It is through the gospel I have the opportunity to have the righteousness of Jesus Christ before God the Father! It is through the gospel I have a certain hope!
How wonderful is the grace of God as expressed and fulfilled through the gospel message!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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