Grace

Paul's conversation with Lord Jesus Christ is interesting and illuminating. His ‘thorn in the flesh’ was frustrating and considered an obstacle to his effectiveness in ministry. However, God’s view was entirely different. The very ‘thorn’ that makes Paul worried becomes the source of power – scars become stars.

1. Complementing grace:

The grace of God is the complement or additional resource for our lives. Paul certainly had weakness and pain, but with that, there was complementing grace. The additional grace always provides improvement or even perfection.

2. Compensating grace:

The ‘thorn in the flesh’ affected his physical fitness, mental alertness, and social life and created a psychological problem or complex of inadequacy. Our good Lord, instead of removing the ‘thorn’ as Paul expected, provided grace that compensated. Instead of his weakness, he was empowered with God’s grace.

3. Caring grace:

God cares for us. (I Peter 5:7) The Lord did not brush aside the prayer of Paul to remove his ‘thorn’ or ignore his pleas but was so caring to reveal his higher purpose to him. Lord cares for insignificant things the world may ignore, like tears and wanderings. (Psalms 56:8)

4. Completing grace:

Paul wanted to ‘fight a good fight of faith’ to gain the crown. To complete the course of his life, he needed help.

5. Connecting grace:

The ‘thorn’ helped Paul connect with the real world and experience victory. That also helped Paul connect empathetically with those who go through pain and suffering.

6. Creative grace:

Creative grace provided wisdom to David to convert a simple pebble into a strategic missile weapon that defeated Goliath.

7. Contentment providing grace:

Godliness with contentment is a great gain. (I Timothy 6:6,7) Generally, those who are afflicted experience frustration, anger, mental tension, and disorientation. But the grace of God provides us a contentment and peace that is beyond comprehension. Interestingly, the contentment is indeed gained – in health, strength, and spiritual maturity.

8. Conquering grace:

Paul asserts that we are more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37) The ‘thorn in flesh’ will not incapacitate him to be defeated or destroyed. Paul will spring to victory by His grace. In fact, Christians are called to be triumphant. They are chosen to triumph over circumstances, sin, world, and death.

9. Consistent grace:

The grace of the Lord is not conditional but consistent. God’s faithfulness and provision of consistent grace are founded on God's in-exhaustive resourcefulness. The Bible asserts that God is not a man to keep changing his mind. (Numbers 23:19)

10. Covenant grace:

A covenant is made between the equals generally. However, God makes a covenant with his own creation – humans through His Son, Lord Jesus Christ. The Blood of Lord Jesus Christ seals the New Covenant. The New Covenant is a product of God’s grace, as humans cannot earn their own salvation.

Challenge

Grace is not a philosophy or just a doctrine. The reality of grace is all pervasive in the life of a Christian. The abundant, adequate, sufficient, and perfect grace transforms a person beyond imagination and comprehension. Let us learn to live by grace, pursue righteousness, and wait for His Glorious Coming.