His Grace Is Enough

Grace is often thought of in relation mainly to our justification. We are saved by grace. Our sin and sinful nature are justified by grace alone. As a result, the Christian is now right with God. There is a danger that we only think about grace in relation to our justification and not our sanctification. Not a few folks have an idea that we enter the church by grace and remain by our efforts. This is not what the scriptures teach. Hear the words of Paul as he deals with the thorn in the flesh;

[9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (ESV)

Living by grace reminds us who we are as sinners saved by grace. We need grace to enter the kingdom of God and we need grace to continue in the Christian life. We must never forget that we live by grace alone. This is how you can forgive and love your enemies because you have been loved and forgiven by God. This is why you can pray for those who hurt you and oppose you. Grace is central to every part of our life. 

Living by grace keeps a proper view of God before us. The Lord cares for His people. Peter exhorts us to trust God because He cares for us. 

[6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, [7] casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6–7(ESV)

We live in a cynical world, it is easy to become cynical even in our thoughts of God. We can drag the Lord’s love and actions down to our level. You can even think about the Lord’s giving us grace like a parent who in frustration overlooks our transgressions. The Lord’s grace is a deliberate act of love by the Lord. He gives us grace because He loves us His people with a perfect love. He saved us so that we might be restored to Him and be transformed to be like Him. 

Living all of life by grace means that it is ok when you are weak. As a Christian, there are times you will be weak. You will be under attack for truth. You will be persecuted for doing what is right. Evil men will howl and you may seem to be alone in the world. Sometimes your faith will not be strong. But we realize like Paul in 2 Corinthians 12 that when we are weak, the Lord is strong. 

If you are to ask older Christians to talk about the goodness of the Lord you will often hear of times when they were weak and almost helpless. Yet it was at this time that the Lord was the strongest for them. His grace was sufficient for all they needed. There will be times when you see people go through difficult times and you wonder how they survived. It is because of the grace of the Lord. 

See that you need the grace of God every day. Not only on the day you come to faith. But it is grace that takes you all the way home. You need grace as you walk with God and grow in your faith. The more you mature you will see how weak you are and how strong the Lord is!