Paul: A Relay Runner
The Christian life is a calling, a calling not because of what we know or what we are, but a calling by God's grace. We are all called in our weaknesses so that His strength can come out. Timothy is here encouraged to be strengthened by the grace that is in Jesus Christ.There was a time when Peter promised rather to die for Christ than to deny him and we all know that he failed because he was strong in his own strength. Had he been strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, he would have kept his promise. Ephesians 6:10 tells us 'Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might...'
We have God's grace which is a free gift from the hand of God and it helps us humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses and to impart strength to endure trials and resist temptations.
When we have God's grace, we acknowledge and appreciate that whatever we are doing is not about us but about God and His kingdom. We are not in a game of competition but in a calling where we complement and mentor one another passing on the baton of faith to other faithful men/women.
The body of Christ suffers when the members serve as loners, unwilling to mentor others or learn from others. Timothy is encouraged to entrust what he heard from Paul to faithful men who will be able to teach others too. This should be our encouragement as well. His grace will give us strength in times of trials and temptations and will also remind us that we are not alone. We are not only surrounded by brothers and sisters in the faith but there also unseen witnesses who are cheering us to move on. Everything we are or have is a gift from God and let us all play our part in spreading the good news of our Lord and Saviour.
| You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (2Timothy2:1-2) |
(Jane Moyo Nyirongo, is a mother and grandmother, serving God with Garden congregation. Likes reading fiction stories, walking and gardening. Maybe that's why am in Garden compound!
Shalom shalom!)
