"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."Paul includes so many different ways of saying that we all must make sure that we are moving on in holiness and continuing our sanctification. It all starts with the overarching principle of verse one: we can't do it in our own strength. We must be strong in the Lord! Self-sufficiency will result in self-failure. Therefore we must press into Him and into His Word.
2 Tim. 2:1
The concept of:
- v. 4 — soldier—avoid civilian affairs; that is, do what the commanding officer says. This implies obedience to human authority and a chain of command. Be a disciple. Don't be a loner and disconnected.
- v. 5 — athlete—compete according the rules. Therefore, look into the Book to see what the rules are and then obey them!
- v. 6 — hardworking farmer—doesn't do things on a whim; instead follows patterns and plants then harvests according patterns and dictates of the seasons. Be a person who understands the times and seasons to know what to do. The goal is fruit: that is, personal sanctification as well as result of evangelism.
- w. 15 — workman / craftsman—this implies precision, diligence, hard work, quality. It takes years of careful practice under a master craftsman as an apprentice. Likewise, the Christian faith takes years of discipleship under a man or woman of God to train you in the way to go.
- we are not holy.
- God is holy!
- without holiness, no one may see the Lord.
- the only acceptable worship is to worship Him in the beauty of holiness (1 Chr. 16:29 KJV).
- note: this means that holiness is beauty!—thus He adorns His bride with the most beautiful object He can find: holiness!
- Lam. 2:15b — we are called to be the perfection of beauty; the joy of the earth. Only if we are holy can we truly give joy to the earth. Being wrapped up in our unholiness is exactly as the world is and that does not bring joy.
