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 2:1,
"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
Here is something you don't hear too often: God's grace and God's power are two things that go together.
Here are a few samples: "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them." Acts 4:33-34. Note that God's grace was "so powerfully at work in them all." "Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people." Acts 6:8. In this verse we read of God's grace and power, together at work in Stephen.
We read in Acts 11:23 that God's grace accomplishes things. It is powerful, potent and produces what is desired, "When he [Barnabas] arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts." In Acts 15:11 Peter made his point at the council of Jerusalem that the Gentiles could be saved, just like the Jews, and that through God's grace, "We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." Through the grace of God, what cannot be done is done.
God's response to Paul's appeal to remove a "thorn" in his flesh includes God's comment about how his power is made perfect. It is through weakness and so God tells him his grace (which, in weakness, makes God's power perfect) is sufficient for him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Paul accounted for his apostleship as coming from God's grace through his power, "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power." Ephesians 3:7. He acknowledged the strength he had received from God was due to the grace (as well as faith and love) God had poured out on him, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service...The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 1:12-14.
It is by grace that our hearts are strengthened, "Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so." Hebrews 13:9. It is through grace God strengthens us, "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10.
"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
Here is something you don't hear too often: God's grace and God's power are two things that go together.
Here are a few samples: "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them." Acts 4:33-34. Note that God's grace was "so powerfully at work in them all." "Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people." Acts 6:8. In this verse we read of God's grace and power, together at work in Stephen.
We read in Acts 11:23 that God's grace accomplishes things. It is powerful, potent and produces what is desired, "When he [Barnabas] arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts." In Acts 15:11 Peter made his point at the council of Jerusalem that the Gentiles could be saved, just like the Jews, and that through God's grace, "We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." Through the grace of God, what cannot be done is done.
God's response to Paul's appeal to remove a "thorn" in his flesh includes God's comment about how his power is made perfect. It is through weakness and so God tells him his grace (which, in weakness, makes God's power perfect) is sufficient for him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Paul accounted for his apostleship as coming from God's grace through his power, "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power." Ephesians 3:7. He acknowledged the strength he had received from God was due to the grace (as well as faith and love) God had poured out on him, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service...The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 1:12-14.
It is by grace that our hearts are strengthened, "Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so." Hebrews 13:9. It is through grace God strengthens us, "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10.
The power and strength God provides is inextricably tied to his grace he pours out on us... just an observation of something we don't often hear. God's grace and God's power are two things that go together.
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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