Young Adults' Group

The Sufficiency Of Grace

by Pastor Mark
October 20, 2016

The promise of the sufficiency of God’s grace

The author of Hebrews ended his epistle with a blessing for grace to be with all his readers. (Heb 13:25) The grace of God is something that is very needed for our life and ministry. We cannot live our life as we are meant to live without the grace of God. This is especially so when we have to face the challenges of life. The Apostle Paul was given a very special promise by the Lord Jesus concerning the sufficiency of the grace of God, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’” (2 Corinth 12:9) How should we understand the sufficiency of the grace of God?

1. The source of grace

“My grace…” The source of the grace is from the Lord Jesus. This is His grace…a special divine kind of favour. No one else is able to give the kind of grace that Christ had promised to Paul. The Lord is an endless source of grace. Let us look to the Lord as our source of grace.

2. The store of grace

“My grace is sufficient…” The word “is sufficient” is the Greek word “αρκεo” which means “I am enough or I suffice”. It is written in the present active tense. This means that the Lord’s grace is consistently sufficient. There is an inexhaustible store of grace. It is limitless. It has enough for all of our needs and more. Let us depend on Christ as our store of sufficient grace.

3. The supply of grace

“My grace is sufficient for you,” The Lord’s grace was made available to Paul. The supply of grace was given specially to him. It was the Lord’s promise to him. We too are specially given this promise. Let us seek this supply of the Lord’s grace that is sufficient for our needs.

4. The strength from grace

“For My strength…” It is through the grace of the Lord that Paul was given strength. The word “strength” is “dunamis” which means power. The grace of the Lord gives power to us…to strengthen us. It is the power of the Lord working in us. There is so much power that is made available for us to tap. Let us be strengthened by the grace and the power of the Lord.

5. When the Lord’s strength is made perfect in us

“For My strength is made perfect in weakness.” The word “perfect” in Greek is “teleioo” which means “complete, perfect”. It is written in the present tense. This is consistent with the present tense of being sufficient. As much as the grace of the Lord continues to be sufficient, so will He continue to make His strength complete in us.

But it is only in times of weakness that our strength can be perfected. The Apostle Paul was made weak through a thorn in the flesh. This thorn is probably a messenger of Satan who came to buffer him. Even though Paul asked for the thorn to be taken away three times, the Lord did not answer. He wanted Paul to experience weakness. This was something that Paul recognised in order to keep him humble. It was in weakness that personal strength is deemed insufficient. It was in weakness that Paul truly understood the sufficiency of God’s grace.

We recognise our need for strength that is beyond ourselves, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinth 12:10)  When we are weak, we turn to Lord for His strength. When we rely on the Lord’s grace and strength, we can be truly strong. Let us depend on the Lord’s promise of the sufficiency of His grace that His strength may be perfected in our weaknesses.

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