Nothing but Grace

S –    2 Timothy 1:9

 

‘……who has saved us and called us to a holy life, not because of anything we have done but because of His purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ before the beginning of time’

 

O -    Paul exhorts Timothy in this powerful and basic alignment in his life, to embrace the understanding of being saved by the Lord’s grace and the calling to a Holy life. There is nothing that we have done or can take any confidence in. We know that Timothy was a very gifted person and we see how Paul has both encouraged and empowered him in that. It seems there was no rebuke or correction in this focus. It was a message of life perspective and truth. I’m sure Timothy had done and would continue to do some great things. These things though talented and gifted were not to be the focus of his energy or his life fulfilment. Paul wants him to understand clearly that from an eternal perspective it is only and everything to do with grace. It is from this perspective that it commands a response – a calling to a holy life. The source and dispenser of this grace of course is Jesus. Paul wanted Timothy to be commanded in the way he lived by this reality. It was not to be a casual thought or just another reference point in the midst of his busyness and self effort. Jesus has been the carrier of his grace before the beginning of time.

 

A -    How easy for me to let grace just be another religious word in my Christian vocabulary. It seems the more I understand the depth and longevity of grace the loader the call becomes for me to live a holy life. When I devalue it or believe that I have something to do with my eternal outcome then it lessens its command into my life. Comparing the grace that has been extended to me and my own efforts and activities, is like the difference and distance between two planets. I know in my inner thoughts the value and importance I can place on what I have or feel I’ve achieved. It seems though the more I allow these things to resound in my heart and focus the quieter the call to lead a holy life. Eternal alignment has nothing to do with what I have done. This needs to be a constant corrector and statement in my spirit. It’s only as I allow that to happen, then the magnitude and significance of the lord’s grace commands a greater response and awe in as to how I live.

 

P -    Lord thank you for your grace that you purposed for me before the beginning of time. Let this reality come with continuing freshness into my life and responses. I don’t want your grace to be just another word in my vocabulary, but rather a reality that commands the way I view and live my life.