His Grace Is Enough

What is grace? The Oxford dictionary defines it in 3 different ways: 1. simple elegance or refinement of movement. 2. courteous goodwill. 3. do honor or credit to (someone or something) by one's presence.

    I think it is safe to say that this definition cannot really explain God’s grace in its entirety. So I went over to Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology and found a better explanation. It says,”The word "grace" in biblical parlance can, like forgiveness, repentance, regeneration, and salvation, mean something as broad as describing the whole of God's activity toward man or as narrow as describing one segment of that activity. An accurate, common definition describes grace as the unmerited favor of God toward man.” This just means we cannot earn it through the things we do. Our works, even the righteous ones, to garner approval are like filthy rags to God. (Isaiah 64:6) I have to admit this made me want to dig even deeper to comprehend the measure of God’s grace. As I navigate His love, I have to circle back to His grace.  With this I have to fixate my eyes on Jesus to see that His grace is enough. It is also here that my faith is perfected. (Heb. 12:2)

    In 2 Corinthians 12:9 it says, “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.” (ESV) Paul asked God several times to remove the thorn in his flesh. It is speculative whether that was metaphorical or physical. Seeing as Paul himself performed miracles in the name of Jesus some question why it would be physical. I myself have a deeper question, why did God say that His grace was sufficient or in my terms enough? I have often wondered if I had adequate grace to handle certain circumstances. Or what would make such a good God decide to give me so much favor. Why would He make it possible for me to have access to Him through Jesus? This brings me back to His love. 

    The unmerited favor stems from a place of unequivocal love for us. When Jesus died He made it possible for those of us who believe to have everything we need and more through His blood. I’ve wrestled with this concept at times. I am an admitted overthinker. I want to understand everything. The problem is that some things cannot be explained logically only spiritually. God’s grace is one of them. 

    Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (ESV) This only hits home when you see that as a human being who is fallible you were given a gift of consideration (grace) and it is the best present you could ever receive. At the same time this gift isn’t what you deserved or earned, it was a freewill offering that can only come from God. When you see yourself up against God you realize that this was the only way to get to Him. Jesus says that He is the way, the truth and the life and that no man gets to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6) How profound is it that He chose to be the path that leads to God? This my friend, is the measure of grace that can only be understood through the eyes of faith. 

    As I write this I feel a stirring in my soul. I feel like a deer that longs for water. This is how my soul longs after God. (Psalm 42:1) The grace of getting something I am not necessarily entitled to along with the mercy of not receiving what I do deserve makes it unimaginable to my finite mind. All this is because of love. Who knew that this could be so deep? Ephesians 3:18 in the New Living Translation says, “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.” As I get closer to the Lord, I stand in awe of His presence. I revere His omniscience, omnipresence and yet His enduring desire to have me. I am amazed at His compassion that draws me closer to Him. He said in the book of James, that if we draw nigh to God, he will draw near to us. (James 4:8a) Who can fathom this unless we see it with our spiritual eyes? Against a Holy God, we see our sins. We see our brokenness. Yet God sees us through Jesus’s blood and gives us the privilege to come to Him. He is so marvelous. It is the place of grace we are made whole. We are restored. We are healed. We are delivered. We are set free. We are loved. We are chosen. We are His. 

    I say all this to tell whoever is reading this that God's word says in Revelation 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.:”(NKJV) If you are willing, you can have a grace that is bountiful. You can have a life to the full. (John 10:10) You can have the love, grace and mercy that you have always wanted. You may have sought it elsewhere, but nothing can compare to the grace of God that is enough. So look no further, you are in the right place. The Lord has all that you have ever hoped for in His abundance of Grace. 

Let’s pray: God, we praise you that you give us grace in abundance. We didn’t realize it at first. We were too busy looking at ourselves through the physical eyes that made us feel so unworthy. It is because of that we missed the blessing of grace that is more than enough for us. We’ve been distracted by our shortcomings and faults, which can cause us to sometimes reach for the leaves (like Adam and Eve) to cover ourselves. We see that we are nothing without Your grace. When we hide or run away you call for us to come. All we have to do is draw closer. You clothe us in righteousness through Jesus Christ. You clothe us in your Presence and love. You wrap us in your mercy and grace. We are forever grateful. Thank you Jesus for making the love sacrifice to give us all that we need and more. Help us to receive and embrace this unmerited favor. It is by your grace that we are saved. Thank you Lord for it all. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

If you are reading this and have never accepted Jesus as Your Lord and Savior this is the time. If you have once walked with God, but you have strayed away, here is your moment. There will never be a more ideal time than now to surrender your life to the One who loves you most. He wants to call you out of darkness into His marvelous light. No strings attached. No hidden motives. He just wants a relationship with you. If this is you please say the prayer below. 

Sinner’s Prayer: Lord, I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. He died on the cross just for me. I also confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that He rose again on the 3rd day, paying my sin debt in full. He is now seated at the right hand of power, interceding for me to the Father. I thank You, Jesus, that as I pray this prayer and believe with my heart that You have saved me. I receive Your love and commit my life to You. You are now the Lord of my life. Thank You for all that You have done and will do for me in the future. In Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture References: Isaiah 64:6, Hebrews 12:2, 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV), Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV), John 14:6,  Psalm 42:1, Ephesians 3:18(NLT), James 4:8a, Revelation 22:17 (NKJV),  John 10:10 - all verses in KJV unless otherwise specified.

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