2 Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Steven Gerard once told a poor cartman to purchase a cargo of sugar, promising to back him. From that moment the cartman's wisdom and credit were equal to Gerard's, for Gerard was his. If the cartman had forgotten his wise, rich friend, and acted on his own judgment and credit, he would have been weak again, and as foolish as weak. The cartman alone was nothing without wisdom or credit, but the cartman and Gerard were strong. Our strength is in partnership with Christ. Christians strong in Christ Jesus: — I. CONSIDER THE DUTY INCUMBENT ON ALL WHO HAVE A MIND FOR HEAVEN, NAMELY, TO BE STRONG. What is it to be strong in the sense of the text? It presupposeth one thing, namely, they must be spiritually alive. To be strong imports three things. 1. To be ready for action, according to the difficulties you may meet with in your way. 2. That you be resolved. Thus David exhorts Solomon, "Take heed now," said he, "for the Lord hath chosen thee, to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong and do it." That is, be fully resolved and peremptory, so as not to be diverted by any emerging difficulties. 3. That you be of good courage.What need is there to be strong? 1. You have much work before you. The work of your own salvation is upon your hand (Philippians 2:12). You have also to serve your generation, by the will of God. 2. You will meet with much opposition in your work. I now proceed — II. TO CONSIDER THE DIRECTION, NAMELY, THAT THOSE WHO WOULD BE STRONG, MUST BE STRONG IN THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS. What is the grace that is in Christ Jesus? 1. Relative grace, that is the free favour of God to poor sinners, by which they are embraced in the arms of His love unto salvation. 2. Real grace, that is the fulness of the Spirit, and His graces, lodged in Jesus Christ, as the fountain and head of influences, from which they are to be derived, into all His members. "For it hath pleased the Father, that in Him should all fulness dwell. And out of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."What is it to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus? 1. It is to be animated to duty by the faith of that grace that is in Christ Jesus for us, both relative and real. 2. It is to be strengthened to duty by supplies of grace derived from Christ Jesus by faith.Why must those that would be strong be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus? 1. Because all those that would be strong must be strong as members of Christ, as branches of the vine. 2. Because the grace that is in Christ Jesus is only sufficient to bear us through. (H. Boston, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.WEB: You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. |
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