July 27

Strength and Impact 

  

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.  ––Ephesians 1:7-8 

 

Paul had two goals for Timothy, and they are the same ones that apply to us: that he would be strong and that he would risk making an impact. One is for our spiritual character; the other is for our actions for Christ. One is being; the other is doing. When both come together we have a powerful witness for Him. 

The expression “too heavenly minded for any earthly good” is an interesting one. The inference being that both doing and being—not just being—are necessary for us to fully walk out our faith each day. To stay focused as God’s men, we must tap the strength of God’s grace. Picking his strategy carefully, Paul gave Timothy the secret to a long-lasting witness for Jesus Christ.

What saved us is also what sustains us as God’s men. If we focus on the love and forgiveness we were given, we become unstoppable for God. No doubt, no fear, no regret. No opinion or prideful thinking can overpower our witness. Its influence over us is too strong. 

The power is in the grace. Most of us have to get that through our thick skulls. The power is not in our abilities or gifts. Those are great—God gave them to us and He wants to use them. But grace is the fuel to the engine: without it, we are just shells that might look good on the outside, but we aren’t going anywhere. Destined to just sit on the linoleum of the showroom floor.

The impact zone of this internal power is designed to explode outward in ministry. Paul directly connects the ten megaton grace warhead in the heart of God’s man to that natural desire in us to see others experience, understand, and live in that same grace. We can’t give away that which we do not have. But when we do have His power, we can’t help but give it away. 

More specifically, this means all of us are compelled to “pay it forward” by sharing our faith and making disciples. And in doing so, God’s man becomes radioactive! For Timothy, this instruction was a natural extension of the masterful model Paul had given him as a recipient and agent of grace. 

You have His grace. You can let it out, so pay it forward. 

Thank you, Father, for lavishing Your grace on me.