Enough and Sufficient…

Disclaimer: I have wrestled with this topic for about a month or more. This is definitely a writing that is “Daphne’s interpretation.” Give your input after reading…

https://youtu.be/iXEl7A-VcV4

Jonathan McReynolds song “Grace”

“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. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9-10‬ ‭NIV‬

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:22-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“…by His grace all are justified freely.”

Grace is God’s unmerited gift to us.

So, through belief in Christ’s life, death and resurrection we are made “right” by God’s Grace – and – that Grace is enough.

For the last month or so along with the concept of love and the love of God I’ve also become fascinated and wrestling with understanding the concept of God’s Grace. My brain has been attempting to grasp the fullness of God’s unmerited gift/favor.

It doesn’t mean we’re free and clear of God’s judgement and chastisement, but there are benefits extended to all who believe that aren’t earned by our actions. His Grace is granted just because God loves us. It’s His gift to us.

I’m still struggling to reason. In life usually you go to work and in return get paid for the time you labor. There’s return for input. You do a good job, you work hard – you get paid well. Our minds rationalize, if I go above and beyond I’ll be rewarded for it.

Well, with God’s Grace it doesn’t work that way. As the pulled quoted section above states – ALL who believe are justified- put in right standing- freely. The price for those who fit in the category of believers has been paid.

Let’s face it – we all have “stuff” with us.’ None of us have it all together at any time. We don’t always make sensible decisions. We judge. My hope is – we are all working to be better. We should be attempting to be a better friend, spouse, mother , daughter, father, brother, aunt, uncle, sibling, supervisor, co-worker on a daily basis. Most of us attempt to excel in all ways. We try to be perfect.

The fact is – We’ll never be perfect. That doesn’t mean we give up, stop working or spreading His Gospel. In Philippians 3 we are admonished to forget things behind us and to press forward despite our frailties in attempt to become more like Jesus.

The hardest part to for me to conceive- ALL who believe are justified. Unconsciously, way deep down within – I thought this was a competition. 😜 When the word ALL is used in this case – it means great great grandma who has been a believer forever to the child or adult that just confessed Jesus. We are all extended God’s Grace. With God’s Grace length of service doesn’t matter – you may be wiser and understand more but the amount and effect of grace is the same.

To add to that concept – His grace is sufficient– meaning enough… That is a powerful statement. You cannot add to or take away from it.

As individuals we are good at some things and bad or weak in others. God’s grace makes us all “enough” recognizing we are all made strong/complete in and through Him. The pastor who has a flock of thousands and the layperson that has a Sunday school class of three preschoolers is the same in God’s eyes and “enough.” In Christ both persons strengths are made perfect/complete in weakness. If/when they sin, it can affect differing amounts of people- but in God’s eyes the sin is the same.

It also helps me not be as hard on myself, which I can be at times. I am enough. What God has blessed me with at this time is sufficient. Where I am at this present moment is where God would have me to be. I know how to “abase and abound.” When I rest in God’s Grace I am content. It is sufficient.

Resting in God’s Grace shouldn’t make us lazy or unaware though. We are admonished to “press toward” all God has slated to accomplish in our lifetime. We should always strive to do better and to be better. He wants to make us aware that the gift, His gift of grace is ours.

You won’t be perfect, but you are redeemed, justified and sanctified by your belief. Wherever you are in your own journey- the Grace God has given or bestowed upon you is sufficient and enough. Praise God for where you presently are and appreciate the Grace He has extended to you. It is His gift to you – open and truly experience.