This post is an overflow from a sermon I recently preached from the book of II Timothy. It was, in fact, the final sermon from that book. In that message I drew three contrasts from the closing text. Briefly they are: the contrast between the Apostle Paul’s reaction to the unbelieving heart of Alexander the coppersmith mentioned in 4:14 and that of the imperfect actions of the believing brethren who had abandoned Paul when he was first arrested in Rome. In both cases we see that God’s grace is extended, but it finds application only by those who trust God through faith in Christ. This fact and contrast is reflected in the Apostle’s reaction to them. To one he says ‘The Lord reward him (Alexander) according to his works’, and to the other he says ‘I Pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.’ The contrast is between the believing and unbelieving, and how God’s grace is applied.

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