2 Timothy 2:1 "Timothy, my son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus."

Grace has been defined as God giving everything for nothing to those who don't deserve anything. I like that! Somehow, many times grace is viewed as that which connects us to salvation and then we disconnect from grace in our daily lives. But, grace is also the new desires and ability to please God. Philippians 2:13 says, "For it is God that works in you the desire and ability to do what pleases God." Thats Grace! Grace doesn't just unite us with God, but it also changes us to become like God! It is the very life and nature of God living in us.

Think of this - does God have to force Himself to desire and do good things? No. Its His very nature! Does a sinner have to force himself to commit sin? No. Its his very nature to. So with us, our relationship with Christ gives us a new nature to love and live in a way that pleases God. Watch this - 2 Peter 1:4 declares "we have been made partakers of Gods very own nature". Just begin to let your faith grow in what the Word of God declares is true about you. By grace thru faith, what God has declared in His Word will be your experience in reality!

Because I have been serving God since I was 6 years old, people have asked me from time to time how I managed to make it thru my teen and early adult life without falling back. My answer is always the same. The same grace that saves us is the same grace that keeps us.

Titus 2:12-15 in summary says, Gods grace that brings salvation to us also teaches us how to let that salvation be lived out through us. It enables us to say no to wrong things and yes to right things. Salvation is a work of God from beginning to end. It doesn't start with God, and then we finish it. No! Philippines 1:6 says, "I am certain that God, who begin the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Jesus Christ returns." What God starts, He finishes. He is the "author and finisher of our faith". He is the "alpha and omega, beginning and the end". Trust Him all the way, not just in the beginning.

Remember 3 things:

1) Our faith active in God keeps His grace active in us.

All tests, temptations, trials, adversities that you face are an attempt to pull you away from faith in God. This is why Paul urges us to "fight the good fight of faith" in 2 Timothy 6:12.

2) Gods grace empower us with holy desires and supernatural strength.

Romans 4:16 says, "Therefore, it is of faith that it might be by grace". You see, our faith in God allows His grace in us. And His grace in us is what enables us to live like Him. Thats why Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

3) Grow IN Gods grace, not AWAY from it.

Peter ends his last letter with this, "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). See how this verse shows growing in the grace of God is synonymous with growing in a relationship with God. Take note, we don't grow AWAY from grace - we grow IN grace.

Be encouraged, the sure Word God spoke to Paul is good to us as well, "My grace is all you need" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Live well