The Sufficiency of Grace

UV 2146/10000 The Sufficiency of Grace
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
2 Corinthians 12 v 9

Universally, there is hamartia Our sufficiency is not of ourselves, our resources, our talents, our abilities, our connections or our character and personality. It is derived from our relationship with the Father through His Son Jesus. His grace is enough for us to face up to our fears, our weaknesses, our insecurities, our vulnerabilities, our sensitivities, our opponents, rivals, foes and persecutors, the shortcomings in our situations, the foreboding of future crisis, disasters whether man-made or natural. We therefore do not speak of with pride about our strengths but are enthusiastic in confessing or acknowledging the areas of our weaknesses and shortcomings for these are opportunities for the Lord to act in our lives and reveal the working of the Spirit, the work of His hands, the transforming, reviving, resurrecting power of Christ. We are not ashamed of our shortcomings and do not hide it from the view of others.

Faith is our source of strength in the areas of our weaknesses. It is the equivalent of the muscle s of the human body. The muscles develop when these are subjected to carrying weights or resistance. Similarly, when we carry the burdens of the spirit, our own as well as those of others, our faith is greatly strengthened. Our faith enables us to overcome our weaknesses, shortcomings and inadequacies for it gives us access to the very power of God manifest in Christ. Christ was never defeated by the restrictions of His circumstances. When there was a shortage of food to feed the multitude, He prayed and the bread and fist were multiplied. His grace will enable us to overcome our spiritual, intellectual, social, financial and physical challenges.

When we face the reproaches, taunts, bullying, insults and assaults of the world, the Lord will give us the inner strength by grace to bear, endure and emerge unscathed and victorious. His grace will vindicate us in every circumstance. When we face disease and ill health, that of ourselves or our loved ones or of others, He will give us the grace to sustain our faith through it and if it is His will, to be healed by His power. In man-made or natural disasters, the hand of the Lord will be upon us to protect us, sustain and enable us to pull through safely. Grace is God’s power working in us, with us and for us to perfect our faith and reveal His glory and greatness. Grace is given to us not only in the form of divine help in times of need but at every step of our way, every moment of our lives. Grace is the spiritual oxygen we breathe every moment. Grace makes us omni-competent or able to do all things the Lord has commanded us.

Prateep V Philip