The last blog entry provided the overview about our need to be strengthened by the Lord, mentioning that there were numerous avenues the Lord uses in this important process. So far, I have identified 25 specifics in the Scriptures. This first one heads the list.
To set the stage, I remind you of three of the dimensions in God's supply of grace:
- Saving Grace: "For by grace you have been saved through faith..." (Ephesians 2:8). No amount of human effort, good works or religious deeds can earn for us a place in God's presence. Salvation is from start to finish a gift of God's grace.
- Standing in Grace: "...through Whom (Jesus) we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand" (Romans 5:2). Not only does the beginning point of our salvation depend on grace, but the ongoing certainty of our salvation is all of grace. We NOW stand in our spiritual lives by grace.
- Strong in Grace: To Timothy, Paul writes, "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:1). This strengthening grace is the provision of our Lord that is a necessity in living the victorious Christian life.
...the Pressure Points - Examine the immediate context preceding and following Paul's exhortation to Timothy mentioned above and you will discover that the aging apostle was facing numerous pressure points: ridicule, isolation, opposition, imprisonment, hardships, sin in the church. Paul had first hand experience regarding the strengthening power of God's grace seeing him through all of the pressure points of living in this fallen world.
...the Thorns - The 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 "thorn" episode is one of the most poignant recorded by Paul about his personal life. The thorn was simultaneously from Satan, yet under the jurisdiction of the Lord. Therefore, we know that the Lord designed it for Paul's good and God's glory. The issue is simple: Is Paul more useful (1) conceited without a thorn? OR (2) not conceited and with a thorn? His initial response was to get rid of the thorn as quickly as possible. Then the Lord changed Paul's mind when He said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2Corinthians 12:9). Paul went from pleading for the eradication of his thorn to boasting and delighting in his thorn. And here is the bottom line conclusion that each of us need to grasp: "For when I am weak, then I am strong!"
What strengthened Paul for his pressure points and his thorn? The strengthening power of God's grace.
- If you are ever to be saved, it will be only by God's grace.
- If your are NOW standing spiritually, it is only by God's grace.
- If you are TODAY spiritually strong, it is only by God's grace.
