Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Atlanta MTC
9 but he said to me, “My
grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will
boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may
dwell in me.
In Eph. 2:8-9 we read that, "For it is by Grace
you have been saved through faith...It is the gift of God, not by works, so
that no one can boast". We all are sinners (Rom. 3:23). The wages of sin
is death (Rom. 6:23). God, by His Grace, let His son die on the cross to pay
our penalty for our redemption. The fact that we are saved by the Grace is the
greatest reason for rejoicing in His Grace. God first turned to us, in spite of
our iniquities, not because we deserve it, but because He is good. Grace is the
undeserved, unmerited, free favor God gives us to respond to His call.
"Grace is the participation of the divine nature into the human
nature". It is by Grace that God accepts us. It is by faith that we
accept God. Hence, Grace is the source and faith is the channel through which
we are saved.
In
2 Cor. 12: 7-8, we read that, Paul had some thorn in his flesh and that Satan
tormented him. We do not know whether it was some physical sickness or some
other problems he encountered. Paul pleaded with the Lord three times to take
it away from him, but Jesus answered him that, "My Grace is sufficient for
you". The divinity of our Savior is evident in this statement, as He alone
could make such a statement with certainty. Christ's mediatorial role is also
well exemplified in that statement. Our prayers are answered mainly in
three different ways. 1. Yes. Jesus told the person who was crucified on his
right side that "today you will be with me in the paradise". 2. Wait
or not yet, because the best is yet to come. Delays are not denials. For
example, Lazarus was brought back to life only on the fourth day. 3. No. Jesus
prayed that, "Father if you are willing, take this cup from me, yet not my
will, but yours be done".
1.
God' Grace is what we need because of its source. "Our help comes from the
Lord (Psa.121.2)"." In Psalm 23:4 David wrote, "Even though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you
are with me".
2.
God's Grace is what we need because of its sufficiency. "God will meet all
your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus, Phil: 4:19".
In the Lord's Prayer, we ask for our "daily bread".
3.
God's Grace is what we need because of its strength. Paul is someone who had
a personal encounter with Jesus in Damascus. Yet his request for his own
healing was not granted even though he was instrumental in healing many others,
because all what he needed was God's Grace. His sickness kept him humble. As
Paul admitted his weakness, God granted him more Grace to endure the thorn that
bothered him and made him more dependent on God for the "maintenance of
his spiritual life and usefulness". What Paul lacked, God provided. So
Paul bragged about his infirmities than boasting about his abilities. In Phil:
4:13 we read that, "I can do everything through him who gives me
strength".
4.
God's Grace is always timely. God's Grace is given for the needed occasion, but
never delayed nor hurried.
5.
God's Grace is abundant. In 1 Peter 1:2, we read, "Grace and peace be
yours in abundance". God is able to give abundantly for us above all that
we ask for.
Sometimes, unusual suffering teaches us unusual patience. God wants his
Grace to be completed in our weakness. What we are and what we have is only by
the Grace of God. His power is made perfect in our weakness.
PRAYER
Lord, give us daily the Grace we
need to lead a godly life . Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"Sufficient for you is the Grace of me".