Christ JESUS ~ The Hope set Before You
"My son, be strong in the grace that is in CHRIST JESUS." -II Timothy 2:1 [KJV] St. Paul had known what it was to be strong in vain confidence and self-righteous hopes: to be strong in rage and persecution against Christ and His people. But his soul had severely smarted for that. Now Christ had taken possession of his heart. He was all in all to him. He thought he could never enough recommend Him and His grace to his dear friends. O let us imitate him. (1st.) The grace that is in Christ Jesus. Because of our low, mean, scanty thoughts of His rich grace, we are low in courage against our enemies, and weak in the comforts of our souls. Know, there is much more in this, than many weak Christians suppose, who unscripturally think Christ came into the world, to procure some grace for us, that He puts it into us, as men do seeds in a hot-bed, but leaves us to be faithful to it, and so to secure our own salvation. What kind of grace is this? Not saving grace. If this ...