Grace!

Grace!

2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP

[9] but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 

One definition of grace is 'unearned and undeserved favor; God's unconditional love and generosity, freely given to humanity despite our flaws or failure to earn it. It is often summarized as getting what you don't deserve, such as blessings/salvation, and not getting what you do deserve (punishment). It is in the light of the above that the verse above needs to be understood. Paul was a man who had seen the world.  He was learned in the ways and customs of the Jews, and he was zealous to defend those ways. Thank God for the same grace that is the focus: God did not judge him based on his bad conduct, but He reached out and saved Paul. 

My past is not as important to God as my present and future. There is no useless or wasted experience; God can use anything at all for His glory. Paul went from a serial and serious persecutor on the church, to a serial and serious promoter of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was given some unique and special encounters with Christ, and the church today is blessed because of the lessons of the life of Paul: a man credited with writing about 24% of the books of the new testament. In God's wisdom, there was a bigger message to be preached; with all the special encounters Paul had, he needed a constant reminder that it is all about God's support, not his skills. 

Man is prone to pride and self-sufficiency, and we all need the very consistent reminder that we are nothing outside of God. Paul needed a thorn in his flesh to remind him to constantly depend on God. Three times, Paul asked God to take this thorn away, but rather than take it away, God gave Paul something that would outlast the thorn: His grace and help. As the verse above makes clear, God's grace is more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation. God's power is best seen in man's weakness. If I could do it on my own, why would I need help? The fact that the work is not mine, means that what I need to succeed has to come from the One who owns the work. 

It is not a wonder, then, that Paul came to the conclusion at the end of the verse above: when I have God's backing, there is no room for pride or self-sufficiency. Paul made up his mind to gladly boast more in his weaknesses, so that the power of Christ could completely enfold him, and dwell in him. Reflect on this: as I empty myself of all that is me, I give more room for Christ to be made manifest in and through me. The more of Him I allow, the more of Him I resemble. When men come in contact with me, do I ooze with grace from God, or am I all about personal charm? God wants to dwell, not rent temporary space. If I allow Him, He will display His power. He will not force Himself on anyone. Would I yield? Would you? God's time of favour is here.