In and Through Him!

Paul wrote these words to Timothy in his second letter chapter 1. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

These words cause my heart to swell with praise! Just consider what we have in "our Savior Jesus Christ. . . ." Not a spirit of fear - when fearful, check the source! A spirit of power, love, and sound mind - when victorious, check the source! He saved us and called us - when you think of salvation, check the source! HIS purpose and grace - when you think of having a purpose, check the source. We should be Christ-driven!

Paul says in verse 10 that we have all these graces; made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. . . . Because Jesus came and has graced us in salvation we receive all the blessings of eternal life!

It is in the Lord Jesus Christ that God has revealed what life, and death, and light are! I think of Hebrews 1:1 and following 1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

It is in and through the Lord Jesus Christ that we are blessed with the graces that are mentioned by Paul in 2 Timothy 1, but also in Him, we find our who God is! He is the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person. In order to know God you MUST know the Lord Jesus Christ, by faith in His work on the Cross!

The blessings of our salvation are not as much all these kind of benefits, as it is KNOWING CHRIST. We have been introduced to the very Son of God by the grace of God saving us. We are permitted a very intimate relationship with the God of all creation because we know the Lord Jesus Christ!

Christ is the blessing of Salvation!So our hearts respond with the words of Joachim Neander.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation! All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near; Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, Who over all things so wondrously reigneth, Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth! Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, Who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee; Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee. What need or grief ever hath failed of relief? Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord, Who doth prosper thy work and defend thee; Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee. Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, Who, when tempests their warfare are waging, Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging, Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace, Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, Who, when darkness of sin is abounding, Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding, Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night, Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him! All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him. Let the Amen sound from His people again, Gladly for aye we adore Him.

Have a wonderful day serving our Wonderful Lord, by Grace Alone.