God’s Grace Makes And Sustains

Focus: 1 Corinthians 15:10 - KJV

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.

2 Corinthians 11:21-31

There is no one who attains any success except by the help of God. In the case of the believer, we become whoever we are not based on our own abilities but by the grace of God. Indeed, it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy. Hence, whatever a believer attains either in ministry or in secular life, is simply by the grace of God. Some lose sight of that fact and begin to carry themselves higher than they really are. Whereas, there are others for whom the Lord has done much more, who humbly hide themselves under the banner and kindness of God. Nonetheless, the Lord sees the contribution of each of us and will reward effectively in the end. It is however out of place to boast about ‘achievements’ as if they are not bestowed by grace but by our own prowess.

Bro Paul was quick in his ministry to address the shenanigans of those believers who assumed they had done big deals by their contributions to the work of the kingdom. A critical look at the things Paul went through of which he had no qualms but still reckoned that whatever and whoever he had become was purely by the grace of God. For him, if any would boast, it should be more about what he suffered for the sake of the Church and not necessarily what he thinks he has achieved or grounds he had covered. And on blow by blow, he showed clearly his scorecard and doubted if the boasters had better records or qualities. Nation-wise, Christ-ministerial-wise, labor-extent-wise, incarceration-wise, perils-wise, and so on, he could not find any that faired better in service than himself.

The Lord is saying to us that He promised us tribulations and persecutions but what we suffer for the Gospel is so minute from what our forebears went through. The mind of God is that we ought to throw ourselves fully into the work of the Gospel with a view to withstanding whatever the enemy brings our ways, by the grace of God. Our focus and concentration should not be about how much we have acquired or what height we have attained in life. Let us therefore, be intentional in being humble no matter what we think we are or have. Rather, we should boast more on the infirmities we have had to endure for the sake of the Gospel.

Please pray:

Father, I thank you for the way you have made tribulations light for us to forestall the elect from failing. The strength to continue to bear and endure infirmities for the sake of the Gospel, please release upon me, in Jesus’ name. Help me not to be full of myself in the course of ministry or my regular job, in Jesus’ name. Let my crown be sure when I meet with you in eternity by reason of my endurance by your grace for the work, in Jesus’ name.

Please share with others. God bless you.