Sufficient Grace
2 Corinthians 12:7–10
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Paul’s point here is that grace, which provides the power, is seen in us, not when we are strong, but when we are weak. But if that is so, then, as Paul says, “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (vv. 9–10).
Do you see how different this is from triumphalism? This is not triumphalism, that is, glorying in how successful or victorious or favored a Christian I am. It is the very opposite of triumphalism. It is boasting, yes. But it is boasting in our weaknesses because we know that it is only in our weakness, not our strength, that the power and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ can be seen.
Who is it that you want to glorify? Who do you want to praise? If you want to praise yourself (and have others praise you), then tell us what a wonderful Christian you are. Tell us about your triumphs and victories and visions and revelations. But if that is not your objective, if you want to glorify Jesus rather than yourself, if you want other people to praise him, then do what mature believers in Christ have always done. They do not point to themselves. They point to Jesus. They tell others about his grace, his power, his majesty, his sufficiency, his glory. And when they come into the picture themselves, if they do, they confess only that they are sinners saved by grace. If they are called upon to suffer and do suffer, they do it, not by some great force of character within them, but by the grace and power of him who endured even greater suffering for them, even death on a cross.
“My grace is sufficient for you,” God says. Is it sufficient? It is a privilege to be able to show others that it is. So instead of boasting, learn to glory in your weaknesses, since it is only in them that the grace of God is made fully known.
Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.