2 Corinthians 12:6-10 – “For if I do wish to boast I shall not be foolish, for I shall be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one may credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me — to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  NASB

As we study the New Testament, we quickly realize that Saul of Tarsus was a terror to the newly established Christian church before he became the apostle Paul.  He persecuted the Christians with no remorse because he believed he was doing God’s work.  He considered the Christians a blight on God’s Truth and proper religion.  After his conversion, he became more zealous to promote Christianity than he was to destroy it.

Paul’s encounter on the Damascus Road brought him face to face with the one who was the foundation for the Christian message.  The experience he had that day was one that he would often relate to those to whom he was ministering.  He would say, “I was on the road and I saw a light from heaven.”  He found that God’s grace was sufficient and abundant.

God’s Grace is Sufficient for Salvation.

There are several things I believe beneficial for us to consider.  We need to go back to the beginning and to the Garden of Eden and rehearse the Fall of Man.  Then we need to realize that the Law given to Israel could not save.  We are reminded repeatedly in the Bible that ‘without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin.’  In our walk through the Bible, we realize that man, without Christ, is bound for an eternity in hell.  Then we come to the incredible declaration in John 3:16 of God’s incredible Love and Gift to man in the life and death of Jesus.

This Cross was an expression and demonstration of Love that is beyond human comprehension.  It is Grace beyond measure!  It is unmerited and impossible to earn or deserve.  It is God’s Gift!  If we received what we deserved we would spend eternity in hell, but God desires that none perish.  Because of that desire and God’s incredible Love he offers us a path to escape that eternal punishment and torment.  It is not automatic but provided if we will receive it.

It is because of God’s incredible Love we can sing, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost but now I am found.  I was blind but now I can see.”  Why?  The Grace of God is Sufficient!

God’s provision of Grace is our only hope of living eternally in His presence in heaven.  Jesus is the only road to heaven.  He is the Door.  He is the Way.  He is the Truth.  He is Life. 

I would never suggest that the Christian life is a life of ease or a bed of roses.  The apostle Paul suffered incredible persecution and tribulation.  He endured more than most could withstand.  He seemed to be a man of steel and super-human.  What was his secret?  God’s Grace!

I want to dig a little deeper into God’s Sufficient Grace but will pause here and ask that you muse on the greatness and abundance of this Grace.  Rejoice in the fact that Jesus loved us enough to die for us and now we have an open door to the Father through the Son.

May the LORD bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!