God’s Grace

Author: Jordan Cunningham

2 Corinthians 12:9—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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Paul is by far one of my favorite Biblical authors. His words and letters in the Bible are raw, authentic, and relatable. I grew up in church, experienced my own salvation moment at 12 years old, was baptized at 16, graduated from Bible College with a Christian education degree, and now I work in full-time ministry. And somehow, in the midst of “having it all together” throughout the years, I honestly never felt like I did.

There are a number of things I’m not naturally good at—sports, public speaking, singing, and small talk to name a few. And to be quite honest, I am not naturally good at doing the right thing—being obedient to Christ. I remember reading Paul’s words in Romans 7 and the freedom that those words brought to my life.

Paul says, “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being, I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:21-25

Can you relate to Paul and me? God has captured your heart, and His Spirit has done work in you. You desperately want to follow Him and act in obedience. Still, there’s always that immediate first reaction of your flesh—to be selfish or to gossip, to be greedy or petty. Paul, who authored much of the New Testament and led many people to Christ during his life, felt that tension.

We all fail.

Each one of us, even though we know what is right, chooses what is wrong at times. Even the most seasoned Christians succumb to their weaknesses more often than they’d like to admit. But I’d like to tell you that there’s good news—really good news. God is not interested in you reaching a level of perfection or in the world thinking you’ve got it all together. Can I tell you what God is interested in? Your heart and your obedience.

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul mentions what he calls “a thorn in his flesh” that he’s prayed over and over that God would remove. Paul describes this “thorn” as a weakness in his life—something he feels could hinder his life, abilities, and ministry. But in 2 Corinthians 12:9, God responds to Paul’s concerns in a profound way. He says, “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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Of course, God isn’t saying that His power is made perfect in sin, but in the moments when you come to the end of yourself and your own ability. When you face temptation and fall on your face before Him, His grace and power are sufficient. When your relationship is in a difficult place, and you decide to pray and seek Him, His grace and power are sufficient. When He’s asking you to sacrifice beyond what seems possible, His grace and power are sufficient.

God sent Jesus because we can’t save ourselves. We’ll never be good enough on our own for heaven. We’ll never love perfect enough on our own to have a beautiful marriage. We’ll never be wise, compassionate, or caring enough to mend someone’s brokenness on our own. Remember, God doesn’t expect you to have it all together, but He does expect you to run to Him when you don’t.

Reflection

1. What weaknesses in your life can you surrender to Christ so His power can be complete?

2. How have you seen God’s grace and power at work in your life?