Today's Passage - 2 Timothy 2 1-2

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english 2 Timothy 2:1-2    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.     Paul is exhorting Timothy here, first of all to be strong when facing difficult situations. Actually, 2 Timothy 1:7 already said, "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." Paul did not just say to Timothy, "You need to be strong", because based on Timothy's natural personality, he is totally incapable of being strong in himself. Timothy and Paul are totally different. Paul is a staunch type of person: courageous, decisive, and full of energy. Timothy is almost the complete opposite: weak, indecisive, and physically weak. It may not be too difficult for Paul to be strong, but for Timothy to be strong is truly not an easy thing. But Paul says, "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." Grace is essentially something you don't have. But because you are in Christ, Jesus has become your everything.     People can very easily complain before the Lord, "Why am I like Timothy but not like Paul? Why do other people naturally have great faith and power and yet I don't have enough of anything?" We even use this as an excuse to say maybe God doesn't want us to serve him. Yet, we did not only see God using Paul, but also in the same way we see God using Timothy. Even though Paul is courageous, but if he thinks he can just depend on his own courage, then he would not be able to do one bit for God. The secret to receiving spiritual power is never from a person's natural personality, but it is by depending on the Lord, to let the strength of Christ become your strength. Then the Lord can let your inner being have the power to face the challenges of everyday life. Recently, I read in a book a very precious sentence, "Christians in Christ are extraordinary people". It did not say Christians are extraordinary people, because by nature we are not. However, Christians in Christ can be totally different. Being in Christ is really the secret to having the power to be strong.     Next, Paul is also exhorting Timothy to entrust to reliable people the things he heard Paul say in the presence of many witnesses. This is not only the responsibility of the pastor, but even more it is the responsibility of every believer. The responsibility to teach the truth is not only on the pastor, but it is on every believer. To teach does not necessarily mean being able to speak well. The eyes of the people in the world see things clearly. They not only want to see what you say, but even more they want to see what you do. We need to faithful in the truth God has entrusted to us. Not only in the church we should be faithful, but even more in our family and at work we should be faithful to what we believe and the truth that we hold on to.                   Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, I thank you because you are the source of my strength. Let me be strong in power.  When I am in Christ I am receiving the power from you. May I be faithful in serving you and be pleasing to you. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!