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Before Arnold Schwarzenegger became the governor of California, and even before he was known as an action-film hero, he was renowned for his extraordinary strength and body building. Schwarzenegger began weight training at age 15. When he was just 22, he won the title of Mr. Universe and then went on to capture top billing at the Mr. Olympia contest seven times. The Arnold Strongman Classic, a contest named for him, continues each year in Columbus, Ohio. Who will be the strongest this year?
Today’s verse instructs us to “be strong” (2 Tim. 2:1). This strength doesn’t come from pumping iron. It’s not even an emotional stoicism, trying to appear unmoved. This type of strength is again connected to the grace we find in Jesus. Only in knowing our position as recipients of God’s grace can we find strength to withstand persecution.
Verse 3 puts it another way, exhorting us to “endure hardship” (v. 3). Life in Jesus does not mean that we will exist without trouble. We will be enduring hard times and difficult situations. Our response to these is emphasized here. Paul compares the believer to a “good soldier.” Our goal is not to please those around us but only our “commanding officer” (v. 4). The same principle extends to athletes. During competition, the focus is not on the competition but on the crown (v. 5). We endure hardship because our eyes are not on the current situation—but on the end goal.
Our focus should be to “remember Jesus Christ raised from the dead” (v. 8). Because Jesus endured the cross and God raised Him from the dead, we know that even our times of trouble can lead to God’s deliverance. Therefore, says Paul, “I endure everything,” even imprisonment for the sake of the gospel (v. 10). In another passage, Paul describes this irony of discovering true strength in our times of greatest weakness. “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10 ). When our lives are embedded in Christ, we are made strong.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today’s passage shows how God’s idea of strength is flipped upside down from traditional expectations. We do not need to prove that anyone else is weaker. We do not trust in our bulging muscles or our stiff upper lip. Instead, we are to keep our focus on the reality of what Christ has done and what God will do in our lives. No matter what type of challenge you are facing right now, pray that God will give you strength, endurance, and an eternal focus.
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