“God is able to make all grace abound to you.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV.
God has all the grace you need; you need all the grace He has.
My thoughts and comments today are about “all the grace you need.”
I have been blessed. My life and ministry have been blessed by the grace of God and the graciousness of people. I have received more than I could ever have earned from God or others, and am thankful for every kindness shown me. Recognition of blessings received is the key to gratitude. Here’s how life works. I observed that if I receive less than I am owed, I feel ungrateful. When I receive only what I deserve, I feel I earned it. But when I receive more than I deserve, I am greatly thankful. The difference is not really how much you receive, but rather your estimation and attitude about what you receive. Attitude is the source of gratitude. And in your life, you alone decide and determine your attitude, no other does. Gratitude is usually related to your experience and understanding of grace.
Grace cannot be earned, only received. Grace – unmerited favor and undeserved blessing – is always a voluntary gift and best received and appreciated when counted as such. “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me is not in vain . . the grace of God was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10. A recurring theme of the Apostle Paul was this concept of grace. He knew the measure of grace that he had received from God (Acts 9:1-2/1 Corinthians 15:9), and marveled at what he could only describe as, “the incomparable riches of His grace expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:5-9 NIV.
Grace is both gift and obligation. That is exactly what is often troubling about grace. People keep trying to earn it. Grace can’t be earned; it’s given. Maybe people feel awkward about just accepting such a gift because they have not always been as gracious with others as they could be. Grace received is an obligation to express grace as given you.
Grace is never superfluous; it is given when most needed. The Biblical context for grace is for the times when you struggle to do the right thing, when relationships are strained, when disagreements remain unresolved, or when your strength fails. Then and there, God extends His grace to you, and asks that you do the same toward others. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV.
Grace is always sufficient. In Paul’s greatest distress, God said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness . . for when I am weak, then I am strong.” Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV. When you understand grace you discover it is always given in abundant measure. “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace after grace . . truth and grace came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:16-17. Strengthening and perfecting is always the product of sufficient grace. God’s promise to Paul is His promise to you as well. God has all the grace you need; you need all the grace He has. Whatever your state of heart or situation today, embrace the grace of God without doubt or hesitation.
Today, my prayer for you is that you trust the sufficiency of His grace in every circumstance.