“But by the GRACE of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the GRACE of God which was with me.” 1Cor.15:10.
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2Cor.12:7-10.
Very inspiring scriptures on the exemplary life and experience of St. Paul on the fact that everything we are, achieve and or have is all by the grace of God! At the same time for every challenge or difficulty we may face in life, it is by the grace of God that we are able to go through and overcome it! And what is this grace of God? It is God’s ability He puts or gives us by the Holy Spirit’s enablement so that we can do or achieve what we cannot by our strength! It is the gift of God-Eph.2:8-10.
This grace, hence, this God’s ability is what enabled St. Paul though a great persecutor of Christians (before his conversion), to labour more for Christ and His Kingdom than other apostles of Christ, suffering more for Christ than other apostles (please note 2Cor.11:22-33) and writing more than half of the New Testament. And during the trial of thorn of the flesh or sickness or pain he had in his body, the Lord didn’t heal him immediately though he prayed three times to the Lord for healing. What sustained him in that situation? The Lord’s answer- MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU…! And that word of grace from the Lord producing God’s supernatural ability upon Paul, helped him go through and overcome that painful situation.
And even in the great task of rebuilding the first temple in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel the then governor of Judah was told by the Spirit of the Lord: “It’s not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of GRACE, GRACE to it.” Zech.4:6-7. As God made grace available to St Paul and Zerubbabel as we read above, He will also make grace abound to you too!
Lessons:
- God’s Spirit of grace is all you need for every situation in life.
- God has made available every grace-divine ability and strength you need for every assignment-2Cor.12:9; Philippians 4:13.
- No place for boasting or comparison or rivalry since it is all the gift from God. 1Cor.4:7; Eph.2:8-9.
- Ask God for His grace in all things, and grow in God’s grace, and surely you will have His ability and solution for every situation. 2Peter 3:18.
- Always thank and give glory to God for what He has done in, for and through your life. 1Thes.5:17-18.
May these truth about grace guide and guard your life and give you victories in Jesus’ name!
Have a blessed, victorious and fruitful day, week and daily life in Christ Jesus full of God’s grace.
Pastor Raymond Adonai
