All-sufficient Grace 2Cor12:2-10
Introduction
I want to do something a bit different this morning, to home in on just one verse from our new testament reading. In doing so I am not alone in recognising its significance. In his commentary on the second epistle of Paul to the Corinthians Philip Hughes says: “This is the summit of the epistle, the lofty peak from which the whole is viewed in true proportion.....as the splendour of the sun lights up and transfigures the dark ravines of a great mountain, so the grace of God transfuses and triumphs over, and even through, what is least impressive in the Apostle’s ministry”. The verse is 2Cor.12:9:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”
I want to take a journey from weakness to strength via grace.
Weakness
I wonder what your weak spot is? If you were asked the question “What is your weakness?” I wonder what you would answer – it’s all right, I am not going to ask you to shout them out! It’s important to know what our weaknesses are as well as our strengths. It used to be one of the questions asked in our annual clergy ministry review. I was not alone in always putting down “administration” until challenged by a reviewer who said “you clergy always put admin down because it is safe – after all who is going to say I’m not very good at preaching or pastoral care”. She had a point. It is good from time to time to do an honest self audit.
Paul refers to his weak spot as a “thorn in the flesh” which he asked God to remove. Great and varied is the speculation as to what this thorn in the flesh might have been, from epilepsy to moral temptations, speech impediment, migraine, short-sightedness the list is endless. Later on Paul places weaknesses alongside “insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties” v.10 In fact Hughes confidently predicts that the list will continue to grow as people continue to speculate. Perhaps Scripture is deliberately vague here so as to be inclusive. If a particular ailment or the like had been specified then it would be easy for those of us not so afflicted to be complacent. As it is, we all have out “thorn in the flesh” what are doing about it?
Grace
Paul experiences God’s grace in seemingly unanswered prayer! “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me”. This is perhaps reminiscent of the three times Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. This is the right and natural response when we face our own weaknesses. As the hymn writer puts it “Have we trials and temptations, is there trouble anywhere, Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer”. Having prayed we await God’s answer. It is clear that sometimes God will remove the thorn – otherwise why ask Him to do it, and sometimes He doesn’t. When He doesn’t it is so that His all-sufficient grace can shine through.
Note here this is God’s grace, not self-help. It is sufficient. Relying on God’s grace is the pathway to renewed strength.
Strength
Whilst it is good to become acquainted with our weaknesses we should not let them overwhelm us. Too often we become so preoccupied with what we can’t do we fail to see what with God’s grace we can do. There is nothing quite so damaging to the life of faith as self pity. It seems to me the world is divided into two groups of people when it comes to adversity, those who say “Mustn’t grumble” and those who don’t stop grumbling! When we realise our own weakness and rely on God’s grace, then we are truly strong as Paul testifies. “For when I am weak, then I am strong” v.10. In fact i find one of the most challenging aspects of ministry is learning to rely on God’s grace in area where I perceive myself to be strong.
Application
I would like to invite you this morning to focus on one are of weakness in your life. It might be a physical, mental, emotional or moral weakness. Having identified a weakness – try to limit it to one – spend some time before the Lord. Keep at it until you have received an answer. Then step out in faith, dependent on His all sufficient grace. Remember it is those who wait on the Lord who will renew their strength. Sometimes, in fact many times, I have found the Lord has answered my prayers by sending alongside me someone who is good at the things I am bad at.