Simply A "Son"

2Ti 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

A. The priority of relationship. "son"

* God always focuses on what we are first, then what we do. "Son".
* A sinner (lost person) has no standing with God, regardless of what he may do in the way of goodness, morality, or religion.
* A son has an irrevocable standing with God, regardless of what he may do in the way of goodness, morality, or religion.
· Sonship is a matter of relationship, not performance.
· A son is simply a son. He has nothing to prove, nothing to earn, to remain a son.
· I hate it when one of my girls tells a lie, but I still love her because she's my daughter.
· It disappoints me when one of my girls disobeys, but I'd never disown her.

Timothy might fail as a teacher, soldier, athlete or farmer, but he would always be a son, a member of God's family. A teacher must teach, a soldier must fight, an athlete must compete, and a farmer must work, or else they have failed at that task.
However, a person cannot fail at being a son because it is a matter of relationship, not performance.

B. The privilege of relationship. "grace"

The statement "be strong in ... grace" means to be evident, plain, clear with the grace that is inherent because of our relationship to Jesus Christ.
· Grace tells us that we are loved, valuable and not left to face life alone.
· Grace tells us that we can depend upon Christ for whatever we need in life.
· Paul was reminding Timothy that in his roles as teacher, soldier, athlete and farmer, Christ was the SOURCE of his success.
· He is our wisdom, defender, strength and rewarder.
· He doesn't expect us to succeed on our own, but in dependence upon Him.

Timothy was facing tough times. It appeared as if the faith he clung to was taking a beating, but that was not Timothy's concern. It is God's job to build His church. Our job is to walk in dependence upon the grace of God, equipping others to do the same - enduring hardship, playing by the rules, and laboring patiently until Jesus calls us home.