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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
No human being is so far gone that s/he is beyond the grace of God, and no one is so good that s/he can discountenance the place of grace in the experiences that have come. The New testament is mainly about Paul's missionary journeys, his experiences, his encouragements, his exhortations and warnings on different issues to different audiences in different cities. You may think he was very popular and was used mightily by God. He should have it so good; unfortunately, God does not deal with us on the basis of our limited expectations, or other people's skewed views of what should be.
Grace is something not deserved, something not merited. It is not something you work hard for, and you are honoured with. It is first about God's amazing ability released on a man to do what would ordinarily not have been possible. Grace makes me know that no matter what may have been 'achieved', it was never about me in the first place. It was God at work, in his strength, in his wisdom and in his timing, reaching out to a lost world through me. I am just an earthen vessel, surrendered and yielded for his use, wherever and whenever he may please.
That grace is higher than Satan, Sin and Self. It is revealed in weakness, it is made manifest through Christ. I say like Paul, that i am nothing outside this grace. I surrender my life completely to God, and I ask that he do all he can do with my life, so I can be all he has equipped and shaped me to be. I do not at any time think I could do it on my own, and I do not ascribe any glory or worth to myself. I simply rely on his grace, knowing it is sufficient for my life's journey. His time of favour is here.
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