Pre-applying Grace

Okay, so not everyone in your life is going to bail you out, when you’re in trouble, or step up to help you win. Rats! So what are you going to do about it? Well, God gives us a clue on what we should do. In 2 Timothy 1, Paul tells Timothy in a letter, that while he was in Asia, everyone deserted him. Well who would desert Paul? I mean, he's the Apostle Paul. Who's leaving that guy? I guess everyone did. They bailed on him when he needed help. So he tells Timothy in chapter 2:1, "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." What is this grace? It is forgiveness. Paul used his story to develop his student, Timothy. He's saying, “Hey, sometimes people bail on you, so draw on the grace that is in Christ, you are going to need it,” and it is a lot of grace. He was telling Timothy not to get mad at others when they hurt you, but to apply grace. He was saying to "Forgive them." People let us down, so don't be surprised; instead, be prepared to love them anyway, to forgive, and to remember that it is God who will never let you down. Well, I’ve got to bail on you too; it’s been a whole minute.