2 Timothy 1:8–14 (ESV)
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the
testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace,
which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to
guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit
who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
I have often mentioned that I did not grow up Lutheran, so I grew up under the perspective of “What
you do for God” instead of “What God has done for you.” I get excited when I see that my faith came from outside myself… it came as a gift. We see this in today’s reading “share in suffering for the gospel by
the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” Look at the language
used here: “who save us”, “called us”, “not because of our works”, “his own purpose and grace”, “which he gave us in Christ”. We see it is God who is doing the “action” and not us.
And this took place “before the ages began.” This ties into Ephesians 1:4 “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.”
I pray: O Lord, thank you for all that you do for me. Amen.