Sufficient Grace
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8
The story is told of a man who went on a day trip without
his wife. On his return home, he gave her a gift of a
miniature vase in the shape of a ballerina shoe. She told
him “thank you,” but in her heart she felt that if he truly
knew her, he would not have bought her such a gift. She
put it aside and did not appreciate it.
The Bible speaks of a gift which is given to all humanity,
it’s a precious gift, a life-saving gift, Grace. “For by grace
are you saved;” salvation is by grace alone and can only
be received “through faith” alone. It is a free gift given by
Him who knows you, perfectly well, who knows what your
needs are.
For some, grace is given in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1, “We
then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that
ye receive not the grace of God in vain.”
Grace is so important; the apostle Paul pleads with the
believers not to ignore this unearned favour from God.
The grace of God is given in abundance. 1 Corinthians
15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his
grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but
I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but
the grace of God which was with me.”
It teaches you that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we, (you) should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in
this present world; This source of power changes
behaviourso that the old man of self, becomes a new man
in Christ. The Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy in his first
epistle says the following: “Who was before a
blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I
obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with
faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 1:13-14.
God’s grace enables Christian growth. Luke 2:40, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom:
and the grace of God was upon him.” Christ grew under
the grace of God, so too you must grow. The Christian’s
life is one of simplicity and service. Submission to the will
of God is given through the grace of Christ which is
available to everyone. “For ye know the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes
he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be
rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9. You are bought with a price of
unmeasurable value, loved and highly favoured, “ For God
so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
As Christ came to serve so too you should serve, minister
to others. Ephesians 3:7, “Whereof I was made a minister,
according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by
the effectual working of his power.”
God’s grace is powerful, it is abundant, brings salvation, a
free gift and is sufficient for all your needs, regardless of
your weaknesses. “And he said unto me, My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2
Corinthians 12:9.
Your part is only small, compared to the magnitude of
what is on offer. Your part is to be humble, James 4:6,
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God
resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for
that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great
God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for
us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify
unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:11-14. Amen.