Grace

“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.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

How often do we truly realize our own weakness? We are all restricted by abilities and limitations whether they are physical, mental, or situational. The older I get the more I realize weakness in my own life. We all remember our youth when opportunities seemed to be endless and our dreams were not crushed by reality. For example, I was still on the road to become a professional athlete up to middle school, which hasn’t quite panned out the way I once envisioned. As adults we realize that we don’t always succeed in the plans that we set for ourselves. Sometimes we even lose the courage to try anymore.

This passage in 2 Corinthians gives great news for the weak in heart, body, and mind. No matter what our limitations are, this verse pertains to those who believe in the gospel; which is simply that God loves us so much he sent his Son to die for all the sins of the world and through the death and resurrection of Jesus we are wiped clean of our sin and we will spend eternity with God.

The promise that was given from God to the writer of Corinthians, Apostle Paul, was that “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” The challenge I take away is to be open with myself and God about my weakness. The first step towards letting God’s power work in my life is to embrace humility, and it takes humility to address weakness. Remember this week that alone our works will never amount to anything. It is God’s grace that is enough. God is the only one that can use our weakness to show his power.

Grace

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:4-5 (ESV)

In this passage, the Apostle Paul writes to Titus encouraging him to continue his mission of finding suitable elders for churches under his oversight. Paul describes the virtues and qualities that are pleasing for church overseers along with men and women, young and old. The body of Christ is called to be hospitable, self-controlled, upright, holy, disciplined, reverent in behavior, lovers of good, and sound in faith, love, steadfastness, integrity, and dignity.

All of these behaviors are based on the fact that grace, or the “goodness and loving kindness of God,” has already appeared. Since we cannot save ourselves by good deeds or “works done,” our Savior Jesus died for us. By God’s grace and mercy, we are not responsible for making ourselves righteous. Paul’s message to Titus, because we are saved by grace, is to look for Christian leaders that are compelled to “live self controlled, upright, and godly lives” (Titus 2:11-13).

When God’s grace does not compel us, we travel down a path of self-reliance. We become apathetic, prideful, and self-centered. That is when we become entangled in the sin that clings to and weighs us down. This month we want to focus on the grace of God because through his grace we desire to live righteously. By the grace of God we are saved and by the grace of God we are inspired and equipped to break free of our sin.