Becoming Strong in GRACE

Paul wrote Timothy and exhorted him to "Be made strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." This means that Timothy bore some responsibility as a participant in this process.  How would Timothy and how do we become strengthened by grace?  What must we do?  What is our part?  

 

First,  we must recognize where this grace is.  This grace is "the grace that is IN CHRIST JESUS!" So, we must obtain this grace IN Christ.  How then do we obtain this grace that is IN Christ?  Paul gives us the answer in his letter to the Romans - "BY FAITH we have GAINED ACCESS into this grace wherein we stand."  Our access to the grace that is IN Christ Jesus is BY FAITH!  Every provision for life and godliness is IN Christ, all we need do to access this provision is come to Him BY FAITH! 

 

This is same way it was for Abraham who did not waiver by unbelief - but was MADE STRONG BY FAITH!   Whatever we need for life and godliness has already been given in the form of God's grace deposited in Christ Jesus.  The very substance of God's divine nature FULLY dwells IN Christ, and we become partakers of this fullness BY FAITH.  Abraham was not strengthened BY GRACE, NO - God's grace was the promise he had received.  He was made strong BY FAITH in the grace God had provided for him.  Every promise God has made becomes YES and AMEN to all who "gain access BY FAITH". 

 

Abraham obtained the promise through FAITH and PATIENCE.  This is what Paul was exhorting Timothy to do and we should take heed to this ourselves.  If we will fully obtain all the grace available to us IN Christ Jesus - our only access to this grace is BY FAITH.  The man who doubts should not think he will receive anything from the Lord, for without faith it is impossible to please Him.  Everyone who comes to Him to gain access to the provision for life and godliness that the Father has fully deposited in Christ Jesus, must draw near IN FULL ASSURANCE of FAITH.  All things are possible for those WHO BELIEVE because they have full access to every provision God has fully deposited IN CHRIST. 

 

This is why Peter was so adamant that we should give all diligence to ADD TO OUR FAITH.  The capacity we have to be made strong in grace is directly linked to the capacity we have to believe.  We will be limited in how much grace we can receive by how much strength we have to believe.  The only way to be made strong in the grace that is IN Christ Jesus is to be strengthened BY FAITH.  This is how we stand, how we walk, how we receive, and how we overcome - BY FAITH.  YES!  It is BY GRACE - but ONLY THROUGH FAITH!