Grace Empowers Us 2

Grace Empowers Us Part 2 In our last post, we introduced the reality of grace being much more than God’s unmerited favor for salvation. We learned it is the divine empowerment of heaven, the source of our ability to accomplish His wonderful will and purpose in our lives. The apostle Paul prayed three times to be delivered from a fiery trial he dealt with, and the Lord gave him a startling revelation, that we can also cling to in our times of difficulty. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2Co 12:9-10 NKJV Jesus explains the benefit of Paul’s complete dependence upon Him and when he accepted that revelation and truth, he was enabled to accomplish much more than most Christians have dreamed possible. He did not glory in sickness, as some suppose, but the trials and afflictions that came his way as a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. In those difficult times, he depended upon the Lord’s strength and received grace to fulfill and finish his course. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2Ti 4:7 NKJV We are living in tumultuous times, as the scripture has clearly warned. These are the last days, and perilous times will increase and continue up until the time of the return of Jesus Christ to set up His Kingdom on earth. (See 2 Tim 3:1-13) As believers and followers of Christ, we must endure until the end, and the only way is by the grace of God. Peter admonished the church, just prior to his martyrdom: “…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” 2Pe 3:18 NKJV Peter knew the only was believer would be able to stand against the onslaught of evil in the world and to testify of the gospel of Jesus Christ was through growing in grace. The apostle James describes how we can receive more grace. But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." Jas 4:6 NKJV As we humble our hearts before the Lord and put our trust in His unmerited favor AND divinely granted empowerment, we can do all He commands us to do. The apostle Paul stated: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Php 4:13 NKJV This strength comes through the grace Christ promised him according to what we previously read in 2 Cor 12:9-10. Jesus said it this way: Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 NKJV This grace is the divine life and power of God flowing through our lives. It is the fuel or oxygen of heaven that keeps us going. Without it, we are not fruitful no matter how hard we work in our own strength. We serve a God of grace. We are commanded to come to the Throne of Grace. We are told to grow in grace. We are to be good stewards of the manifold grace of God. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1Pe 5:10 NKJV Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:16 NKJV but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2Pe 3:18 NKJV As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1Pe 4:10 NKJV Let us continue to grow in grace, ask for grace, position our hearts for more grace, and share God’s grace as good stewards. Until next week, God richly bless you and give you abundant grace to reign in life by Jesus Christ our Lord. James Brown CST 12/05/2021