Be Strong In The Grace

             You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. (II Timothy 2:1-7)

            At some point, Dallas Willard suggested that we should burn grace like a jet burns fuel on take-off. I’m not entirely comfortable with this idea, because a jet burning fuel destroys the fuel and I’m not sure how to use grace, let alone “burn” it. But today’s passage ties into Prof. Willard’s idea in a different way. Just as jet fuel is what gives a jet the “strength” to take off, grace gives us the strength to live in Christ. We’re to be strong in that grace, having it in abundance and relying on it honestly (not as an attempt to manipulate God).

                The next thing Paul repeats is that what we hear in the presence of many witnesses, we are to pass on to those qualified to teach. I doubt Paul was suggesting that the Gospel only be taught to an elite few, but that Timothy practice good human resources management, promoting those who are qualified to teach. And while teaching was the subject, it seems reasonable that Timothy (and we) should also get the right people into other positions, whether it’s serving, encouraging, healing, or something else.

                The third thing Paul addresses is the characteristics of our service. The first is to suffer, when necessary, just as Paul suffered. He was not guilty of the charges brought against him, but he used them to the advantage of the Gospel. Secondly, soldiers don’t get to live the sort of lives they might like. As a soldier, they are expected to obey their commander. Thirdly, athletes practice self-discipline to achieve their goals and win the prize. Fourthly, farmers invest their faith in their seeds and their land and should receive their crops. In every case, what could be called suffering is simply part of life. We are called to endure suffering and practice obedience, self-discipline, and faith so that we can achieve our goals as followers of Christ.