Enough Grace

We’ve walked with Paul down many roads so far in our studies, and no one would deny how much he suffered for the name of Jesus Christ. Yet Paul said he would boast only of the things that showed his weakness.

Now Paul tells us about a glorious experience. Around the time of his first missionary journey, Paul was taken up into the third heaven. Acts 14 describes how he was stoned and left for dead. Paul isn’t dogmatic about if he died or was knocked unconscious, and we can’t be either. But either way, Paul saw the third heaven and heard the unspeakable spoken, but was forbidden to tell what he heard.

Another insight into Paul’s personal life was his candid admission of a “thorn in the flesh” (12:7), something God allowed him to suffer. We don’t know what it was; some think it could be poor vision. Paul asked the Lord three times to remove it, but God said no.

“My grace is sufficient for you” (12:9). God said He would not remove the thorn, but He’d give Paul the grace to bear it. The Spirit would empower weak Paul to do his ministry—more even than if he had been naturally strong (see Romans 8:35-37). Someone has said that God chose not to cure Paul, but He healed him.

Paul shared this because he wanted to help the Corinthians grow up in Christ. He didn't use clever methods; he preached the Word of God in simplicity. He did everything to build them up stronger in their personal relationship with Christ. And this was tough if you remember where they lived. Corinth was a vile city, known as the worst sin center in the Roman Empire. People went there to sin. Because of this, the church tended to think lightly of sinful things.

The church is a group of people who ought to be holy for God’s sake, and ought to be living for Him. But too often it’s too busy with its internal problems to be interested in the Word of God. Yet in spite of that, the Lord Jesus Christ loves the church. He gave Himself for it that He might cleanse it and make each believer acceptable to God. Although we are far from what we should be, we should be moving in that direction.

The Corinthian church had been examining him, but Paul now challenges them to examine themselves. Jesus Christ is working in each of us and asks us to take inventory. Look at your life, what you think and what you do. Are you growing in your faith? Are you living obediently to the Word of God? Give yourself regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence that Jesus Christ is in you.

Paul wants us all to experience the kind of life God wants for us that only comes as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ Jesus. This challenge also is intended to “be of good comfort” (13:11). Remember earlier we learned about God’s comfort, His help. God comes to our side to strengthen and encourage us. God wants to do that for you today, too. He can help you through His Word by means of the Holy Spirit alive in you, cultivating the fruit of His Spirit.

As we walk in God’s Spirit, He will cultivate love and peace toward one another. This is the peace of God which goes beyond our understanding, made possible through the blood of His Cross. We are to live in that wholeness today and to be glad in God for our salvation.

When we do that, the God of love and peace will be “with you.” Don't miss that. You are not alone—God is with you today. How wonderful is that!