How we need Grace!

(2Corinthians 12:9) “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

What I have notice in character amongst believers is the attribute we all share in one form or another, to a lesser and larger extent depending upon ones theology, we all like to take verses from the bible and make them our own. I remember years ago when there was a quote that seemed to captivate most of the charismatic population throughout the world, it was a best seller, the book was about a man’s request to God and everyone jump at the idea that they too were now entitled to the same promise. Because God favoured Him does not mean we all have the same right by laying claim to the same promise. Principle throughout scripture must however remain constant for all. “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;” (1Corinthians 12:4)

But the actual gifting that God imparts to us as individuals must differ as it does. We are encouraged to desire the best gifts and so as a rule it would be good if we all found a measure of zeal to serve God and to honour Him by glorifying His name. Some have been blessed with money others are not as blessed, but if we were to go around looking to be as wealthy as our neighbour, it would make us ungrateful for what we have already received and therefore we would become idolaters and in danger of the snare of the devil in that area of our lives. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”(1Timothy 6:10-11)

There are constants that the believer must pursue, but money is not one of those constant, with food and raiment therewith be content! We must not be driven by money or with the false sense of the security it promises.

Every Believer must pursue “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” It would be good for us to examine our hearts in these matters.

Having said that God is at work with all His children, and He will achieve His purpose in our lives, He is so brilliant that I cannot wait to kneel in heaven as I will see Him as He is; when we all get together, what a glorious day that will be and our eyes behold His beauty. As brilliant as that will be, there will be another side to Him that will leave us gobsmacked with awe as we will understand His master plan as He will leave no stone unturned as we witness and then understand How great He really is. How I long with the twenty-four Elders to cry “And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, "Amen. Hallelujah!" (Revelation 19:4)

My point is that we would not waste energy chasing the wrong things in our lives, everything that drives us must make us more like the Lord Jesus, having said that I also understand the frustrations of life and the disappointments I face on a daily basis, how often I find myself falling short of my Saviours example.

Charles Spurgeon unpacks a thought that Paul also experienced and I think that will be helpful for us; this is what he has to say on the topic of Grace...

“If none of God’s saints were poor and tried, we should not know half so well the consolations of divine grace. When we find the wanderer who has not where to lay his head, who yet can say, “Still will I trust in the Lord;” when we see the pauper starving on bread and water, who still glories in Jesus; when we see the bereaved widow overwhelmed in affliction, and yet having faith in Christ, oh! what honour it reflects on the gospel. God’s grace is illustrated and magnified in the poverty and trials of believers. Saints bear up under every discouragement, believing that all things work together for their good, and that out of apparent evils a real blessing shall ultimately spring-that their God will either work a deliverance for them speedily, or most assuredly support them in the trouble, as long as he is pleased to keep them in it. This patience of the saints proves the power of divine grace. There is a lighthouse out at sea: it is a calm night-I cannot tell whether the edifice is firm; the tempest must rage about it, and then I shall know whether it will stand. So with the Spirit’s work: if it were not on many occasions surrounded with tempestuous waters, we should not know that it was true and strong; if the winds did not blow upon it, we should not know how firm and secure it was. The master-works of God are those men who stand in the midst of difficulties, stedfast, unmoveable,-

“Calm mid the bewildering cry,

Confident of victory.”

He who would glorify his God must set his account upon meeting with many trials. No man can be illustrious before the Lord unless his conflicts be many. If then, yours be a much-tried path, rejoice in it, because you will the better show forth the all-sufficient grace of God. As for his failing you, never dream of it-hate the thought. The God who has been sufficient until now, should be trusted to the end.” (C.H.Spurgeon)

Signing off

Tyrone