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This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to teach on the fact that “God’s Grace is Sufficient.” Yesterday I left off at the end of 2 Corinthians 11. Let’s pick up Paul’s letter from there today.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know-only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell. That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message” (2 Cor 12: 1-6 NLT).
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. You don’t earn or deserve all God allows you to experience. Paul visited heaven and by his own admission he saw things that were “so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words.” When thinking about this experience he did not want anyone to think that God allowed him to visit heaven because he was special, or because he was so worthy, or because he was so holy. Paul did not take credit for his visit to heaven, nor did he take credit for anything he did. Paul knew that God was far better to him than he deserved. The same can be said for you.
2. Let your boast be in God. The word “boast” means: a reason to be proud; something impressive that someone has or has done. Paul thought about his trip to heaven and he said, “That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses.” In other words Paul was saying, “If I have something to be proud of, it is the fact that God has chosen to use me this way, in spite of my failures and flaws. My pride is not in self, my pride is in God and in His commitment towards me.”
3. Grace gives God the credit. Paul said, “I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message.” Paul accomplished more than any of the disciples that walked and talked with Jesus during His three year ministry on the earth, but Paul refused to take any credit for his accomplishments. Paul continually gave the credit to God. If you want to consistently walk in The Blessing, you should do the same. One of the fastest ways out of God’s favor is pride. Pride causes you to take credit for what God has done.
4. Grace puts the spotlight of your life on God and not you. Under the Old Covenant the emphasis was on man and the spotlight was on man’s work for God. Under the New Covenant the emphasis is on God and the spotlight is on God’s work for man. When you embrace God’s grace you put the spotlight where it belongs, on God and not you!
5. To whom do you attribute your success? Take a minute to think about where you are in life. Are you successful? Are you further than you used to be? Are you growing, developing, maturing, and progressing? If so, to whom do you attribute that success? A New Covenant believer, who is cognizant of God’s grace, will acknowledge the fact that they would be nothing without God. To God be the glory for the things He has done!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for Your amazing grace. The more I learn of Your grace, the more I embrace it and the more it changes my perspective of life. I can acknowledge the fact that there was a time when I took too much credit for the good things that have happened in my life. There was a time when my emphasis was on me, my effort, my power, and my ability. But Your message of grace is freeing me from the limited power of ME. I am not good enough to accomplish what You have called me to do. I am not strong enough, on my own, to operate in the realms to which You have called me. I don’t have enough strength, resources, power, or know-how to do what You have called me to do, because my divine assignment is SO BIG that I need You to do it. Therefore, I release the pressure to be good enough, strong enough, holy enough, and smart enough. I accept Your assignment by faith, knowing that You called me by Your undeserved grace, not because I am good enough. So I accept it and I pursue it by faith, with the understanding that You will always be better to me than I deserve. And when the success comes, and the accolades follow, I will be sure to deflect the glory right back to You. If I choose to boast, it will be in You. Instead of boasting in my power, I will boast in my weakness and let everyone know that I could have never accomplished what I have without the grace and favor of God! I will always give You the glory for the things You do in my life. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
