“… join with me in suffering for the gospel according
to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling,
not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which
was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,” – 2
Timothy 1:8-9
Summarize in a Word: Grace-life
Key Principle: We demonstrate God’s Grace deeper when we live
for the One who died for us
Illustration: My friend stood strong against a mob attack
Exhortation: Be a witness of Christ wherever you live.
Sponsor Issue: Contributed
by Pastor Daril Gona, MBC, Mumbai
Every breadth that humans
take proves that our creator is gracious. But God’s grace towards His elects is
way grandeur; in Christ, He gives them
eternal life when they deserve eternal death.
By the grace of God, we are saved. As we are infinitely
incapable of saving ourselves from our sins (Eph2:1), God sent His beloved Son
to save us (Matt1:21). Christ is the channel for God’s grace. This grace in
Christ was granted for us in eternity. Which means you and I could repent and
believe in Jesus because God in eternity sealed our salvation in Christ. When
we truly understand how sinful we are, we start understanding God’s
grace.
God saved us and called us to
a holy life. We are saved to serve God, to be His witnesses in all circumstances. Everyone can profess Christian
faith in the church, but only a true
disciple of Jesus can profess his faith in the midst of sufferings.
I was personally encouraged
by my friend’s faith when he stood strong in persecution with the power of God.
When a mob attacked him for being a believer, he could have denied but he
didn’t. He prayed to the Father “Lord, this life is yours, let your will be done”. God who empowered us to be
saved will also empower us to suffer for the gospel.
Are you living for the one
who died for you? Living for self is a sin
as we ought to live for God. The more we understand the grace of God, the more
we would want to please God. Be a witness of Christ wherever you live.
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Thanks for the time of Reflection,
R. Solomon
(This issue is contributed by my Friend, Daril
Gona, Pastor, Mumbai Bible Church, Mumbai, He is an alumnus of Pastoral
Training Seminary, Goa (2018). Please pray for his ministry and for him to get a
godly wife soon! cf. Proverbs 19:14; 18:22)