11 - Gods Grace is Sufficient
Chapter 11 Gods Grace is Sufficient
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
It is amazing how often I hear people say that when Paul sought the Lord about the “thorn in the flesh” God told him NO, He would not remove it! I cannot understand how “my grace is sufficient” could be twisted so haphazardly into a negative reply. They have first miss it by thinking Paul asked God to deal with it. Actually, Paul sought His council about it. As misleading as that error can develop into, it is minor in comparison. This second error absolutely contradicts what Jesus said. It is like calling something white, black.
There are a number of bad assessments of Jesus’ statement, “my grace is sufficient”. All of which typify how far many church’s have strayed from paying attention to the specific’s of Gods word. Here are a few of the errant points of view that radically misrepresent what the Lord said.
“Paul’s thorn was not removed despite Paul’s persistent petition”.
“God refused to remove the thorn, because it was meant for his good”
“Grace was sufficient to help Paul to “endure” the thorn”
“It makes perfect sense that God would permit Paul’s weakness to remain to keep him from being conceited”
Jesus’ actual comment does not incorporate any of these suggested explanations. They are all liberal speculations. Not only that, but they are contrary to the pattern by which Paul carried out his ministry after he received the Lords revelation. Paul did more than endure, he adapted and overcame spiritually.
Let me use H. A. Ironside’s comments (a well respected Bible teacher) to illustrate how even good men have placed their opinion over what Jesus said. In his reply to the phrase; “My grace is sufficient for thee”, note that Ironside even put quotes on what he assumed Jesus had said.
“The Lord finally said, “No, Paul; I am not going to deliver you from it, but I am going to do better than that; I am going to give you grace to bear it”.
Jesus’ words "My Grace is sufficient" does not translate into a negative response such as a NO! Nor did Jesus speak of endurance. Jesus did not say no to Paul! Jesus did not say I am not going to deliver you. Jesus did not say He sent it for Paul’s good. Jesus did not say it was allowed to keep him humble. Finally, Jesus did not imply that bearing the pain of the thorn was better than deliverance of it. Ironside, like other commentators completely misrepresented what Jesus said for reason I can not phantom other than he put his trust in the explanations of others. Many are guilty of doing the same thing. They presumed what Jesus meant rather than focused on what he exactly said. All of those contentions are presumptuous opinions. To insinuate that Jesus’ statement “My grace is sufficient” means "No Paul, I will not remove the thorn, it is meant for your good" is criminal if we were to live by the standards of the Old Testament. God gave severe warning “add not to my Word”. (Deuteronomy 4:2) Jesus did not suggest, imply or state a denial. (Let alone three times). Paul sought the Lord about the situation three times. However, Jesus’ slow reply was not a refusal to answer Paul. He answered Paul with a direct revelation. The Lord’s answer was; "My grace is sufficient". We could translate it “My grace is enough”. We could also truthfully translate it “My grace will supply you with unfailing strength to ward off and be your defense” .
What Did Jesus Say Again?
Jesus said; “My grace is sufficient.” The Greek word translated sufficient is translated other places as “ENOUGH”. It could be stated that Lord said to Paul, “My grace is enough”. What did Jesus mean when he told Paul, “My grace is sufficient”? Another translation said; "My grace is ENOUGH!" Thayer’s Greek dictionary defines “sufficient” as: “to be possessed of unfailing strength, to defend, to ward off”.
Let me use this illustration. What if you were to purchase a shirt priced at $15.00 and gave the cashier a $20.00 bill, yet you continue to search your wallet. Finally the cashier says, “this is sufficient.” Would you interpret the cashiers comment to mean the twenty dollar bill will only allow you to put the shirt on lay away? Or would you think the cashier meant you can not buy the shirt? This is what some analysts have done to Jesus’ reply. They need to be more careful and precise in what God wrote. Some need a better view of God’s word before they can have a better understanding of God grace. Sufficient grace does not mean a partial solution, or a partial endowment. Grace provides sufficiently.
Someone once said; “The only way to misunderstand God’s grace is to ignore what God said grace is.” Jesus’ reply “My grae is sufficient” is typical of His manner of teaching. Frequently, when asked, Jesus would seem evasively. Yet, He wasn’t avoiding the issue. He was giving them time to correct their misunderstanding. There are many such examples. (Matthew 14:16-21; Matthew 16:12; Matthew 16:18, John 6:53-63, Mark 2:1-12; Mark 7:1-23 i.e.) However, a classic example is found in the story of Lazarus. Notice how carefully Jesus was with what He said.
“But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” (John 11:10-14)
It is true that many of the Lords disciples, past and present day, have at times thought Jesus meant something other than what He said. The phrase; “my grace is sufficient”, is not a negative response but rather a positive one. It is full of hope and victory. It was a statement of reality and clear perception. Yes, the Lord was unhurried in His reply to Paul for the same reason He is slow in responding to our many hasty petitions. We ask amiss. The Lords delay prepared Paul to evaluate the situation so he could learn and therefore grow.
If God does not respond at once, some say the delay is because God is saying no. That is a deception of Satan. They need to look closer into the Word of God. They should take into consideration Daniels experience. When he was troubled about something he persisted in prayer and fasting. He did not even think to give up when he was seeking God? Finally, the answer came with an explanation for the delay.
“Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.” (Daniel 10:12-13) Did the Thorn Remain?
Why there is an argument on this point is a mystery to me. It can only be the result of confusing the issue. The thorn was no more a solitary issue than temptation or sin is a single problem. Dealing with the devil is a continual necessity.
One speculator argued this case to me; “if the thorn was removed, then Paul’s whole point about Christ’s strength showing in our weakness falls and becomes illogical and with no purpose.” How does that logic figure? Humans don’t need a thorn to be weak, we are weak already. Paul admittedly had more than his share of weaknesses. The thorn was not the weakness it was a demon prodding his weaknesses so he could attack him. The thorn was like an army in battle which continually probes for a weak area. Paul was human but he came to understand how Gods grace filled the void in his being, time and time again.
One person mockingly said to me, “Paul should’ve ORDERED that messenger to leave him alone and quit buffeting him.” Well on several occasions he did. (i.e. Acts 16:18) So I ask, is that so far from the truth? Jesus was victorious over the devil. However, even after the Devil left off tempting Jesus, it was only for a season. (Luke 4:13). Before and after ascending to the Father, Jesus gave instruction to “cast out demons”. (Matthew 10:1; Matthew 10:8, Mark 16:17, Luke 9:1). Many believers other than the twelve apostles did just that. (i.e. Luke 10:19). Later in their ministry, James, Peter as well as Paul gave instruction to resist the devil. (James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:9, Ephesians 6:11-12). What does it mean to resist the devil? It means to “withstand and oppose”. One thing for sure, resist does not mean to accept what the devil is doing and then conclude that it is good for you. Dear reader, grace is not for tolerance, it is for overcoming. The better question is what was Paul to do with Gods grace? Again, it should be noted, this was a new revelation to Paul about grace. Was the Lords answer; “my grace is sufficient grace” to mean Paul was to remain weak? Certainly, Paul did not make that conclusion for he did not remain weak, rather he proclaimed “then I am strong”! Paul concluded that Gods grace make him strong. Paul understood the Lords reply at once. He would rise to the occasion, with the ability of God. In the light of the whole context, that is what Paul was teaching the Corinthians. Yet, somehow, some way many are confused and actually teach the church that Paul’s weaknesses remained.
Those who claim God told Paul the thorn was sent and would remain, also proclaim that Paul remained weak. That is not what followed in Paul’s explanation. It contradicts the words of Paul. Paul did not say he remained weak, rather he said he took pleasure in and rejoiced in those moments. Paul said he rejoiced when He was weak, for when he was weak, then he was strong -strengthened by God’s strength - manifested in him. Paul directly confessed; “when I am weak then I AM STRONG”. In another place he said; “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheth me” (Philp 4:13) Sufficient Grace does not mean Sustaining grace
Paul at first he assumed he needed God to do something about the thorn. However, he learned by direct communication that the grace Jesus had already provided, in the atonement, was the answer to his problem. Did Jesus mean grace was sufficient to overcome or merely to sustain Paul? Scripture states that Jesus came in the flesh to “destroyed the works of the devil”. (1 John 3:8) Jesus encountered demonic opposition and hindering spirits just as Paul did. We can honestly say Jesus was buffeted (blow after blow) too. Why is it that no scholars claim Jesus had some disease?
Jesus told evil spirits to shut up and they did. Jesus told them to come out and they did. Jesus did not put up with devils he rebuked them time after time. (Matthew 8:16, Mark 1:34) However, they were always present. The only exception where it seemed that Jesus let the devils have their way, is when it was time for Jesus to be offered up as our sacrifice. Then Jesus went to the slaughter house, as a “lamb led to the slaughter”. Yet, make note that in that specific case, Jesus did this willingly (Matthew 26:53), in accordance with the Fathers Will and only for a short season. Within three days Jesus rose from the grave. All of those events were first predestined and finally accomplished a great victory.
Dear readers, Jesus overcame all demonic forms; lies, deceptions, accusations, persecution, arguments, pleas, temptations and even demonized people. Those victories were written as examples for us to follow. (1 Peter 2:21) Peter went on to explain that in those encounters, Jesus “suffered in the flesh”. (1 Peter 3:13 - 1 Peter 4:2). Jesus’ suffering in the flesh was not an affliction of some sickness or disease. It was a testament of what we must overcome in for and with Christ. In the light of this, ask yourself, why is it that commentators who interpret Paul’s thorn as a physical infliction, because in was “in the flesh”, do not concluded the same in relation with Jesus’ suffering “in the flesh”? At the cross, Jesus legally and effectively destroyed the power of the devil for us. We are now “redeemed from the curse of the law”. (Galatians 3:13) The Christian must realize the fullness of that redemptive work to enjoy the effects of its power. If we do not know the truth, the devil can and does take advantage of us.
Paul needed to hear Jesus say; “My grace is sufficient”. Jesus was; “full of grace and truth and of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace”. (John 1:14-16) In Christ we were supplied a sufficient grace. If we receive that grace as if it is something less than sufficient, we are foolishly at a loss. Yet, if we do not “receive” His grace or do not have a revelation of the grace, we are found doing what Paul so beautifully described to the Romans, missing the mark because we are looking for help to come down from above or come up from the grave.
“But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;…” (Romans 10:6-8) When we come to know the grace God provided us in the atonement and mix it with the gift of righteousness, it will result in us receiving even the impossible. (Luke 1:37, Mark 10:27) This is what Paul tapped into in his own ministry.
We must not misunderstand the power of God and think we are sufficiently living for Christ. When Paul said; “some have a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: (2 Timothy 3:5) he forewarned us that many will interpret God’s power in lesser terms. Listen to Paul’s prayer for the church to better understand how well Paul recognized the need for us to comprehend Gods grace so we can do much more than we ever dreamed possible.
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” (Ephesians 3:17-20) Sufficient Resistance
Grace requires something from the believer. Since Christ’s strength was "made perfect in weakness", how is it reasonable to imply that the thorn was not dealt with? Since God’s grace is sufficient, God’s strength completed what was weak in Paul. Paul’s testimony is that he learned that perseverance and patience is important. When empowered by grace Paul could and he would resist the onslaught against him. In another revelation he learned that his greatest weapon was in praising God in every blow.
“And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.” (Acts 16:23-26)
Grace makes available the manifestation of supernatural ability. The grace of God did more than give Paul and Silas a sense of contentment. It is clear they received grace and the gift of righteousness in abundance and ruled the circumstance. They overcame the onslaught against them. Grace lifted them to tremendous courage and action. They rejoiced instead of cried. They prayed instead of complained. They resisted instead of accepted this trial. And the result was grace brought to their soul a strength which produced a supernatural faith to meet the conflict boldly. The abundant supply of grace resulted in a miraculous deliverance. There are many examples in scripture that illustrate grace as a means of miraculous deliverance.
Proud religious leaders once imprisoned the Apostles. They were frustrated that a crippled man was healed on the Sabbath. They commanded the Apostles not to preach about Jesus anymore. The apostles, once let go, returned to the church and reported all that happened. Then they all lifted up this prayer to God.
“Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken…” (Acts 4:29-31)
They asked for three things. They asked for BOLDNESS, HEALINGS and for SIGNS AND WONDERS. Their united prayer was heard and their faith obviously pleased God for He sent a sign immediately, shaping the building, and confirming His pleasure. This event was not the end of the Lord pleasure for He went on to bear witness in the apostles:
“And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33) Later Paul, Barnabas and their converted disciples also enjoyed this kind of overcoming grace in their ministry.
“Long time therefore abode they (Paul & Barnabas) speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” (Acts 14:3)
None of these great events in the history of the early church would have happened if their understanding of grace was limited to merely enduring opposition. They resisted, withstood and opposed sickness, diseases and demons. Here is another great text which gives insight into grace and the responsibilities we have. Paul said this to the same Corinthians in his first epistle.
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)
Here Paul humbly testifies that his Apostleship and all his success, was because of God’s grace. Note that Paul implies that Gods grace, though bestowed on him, could have been vain. In other words, grace might not have produced had he not put it to use. Paul testified that Gods grace was at work in him, inspiring him to labor more abundantly. This text reveals a duel action. God was at work to urge Paul on, beyond the call of duty and human capacity. Then we see on Paul’s part, he actively laboring abundantly.
Paul’s thorn was not a one-time struggle where he could rebuke the devil and go on with no other demonic battles. The strategies of Satan are constant. Blow after blow he attacked Paul and will attack all who believe. Yet, so is Gods grace continual. We are in a perpetual battle. Paul called it “the good fight of faith”. Grace is one of the weapons of our warfare. The devil will continue to attack with every ; from persecution to confusion, and from lies to vain imaginations. To succeed we must continue to look to the grace of God. Sometimes we are confused as was Paul. The Lessons Paul Learn
Paul learned several things from what Jesus said to him. First, he learned that some requests are unfounded. Praying for Satan to be removed is missing the mark. We “ask, and receive not, because we “ask amiss.” (James 4:3) Satan, although legally defeated through the cross of Christ, remains in the dark and on the loose. He is still able to take advantage of us through deception until the second coming.
“And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”
Complete restoration of humanity is on a time line. We are presently in the age of grace. Thankfully, for those who understand the scriptures know that grace is sufficient. Jesus let Paul know that His grace, is the weapon we need to rely on. Jesus gave Paul a great revelation so Satan could not deceive him any longer. As Paul testified, “he will come to visions and revelations”, Paul realized by revelation, "when I am weak, THEN AM I STRONG”!
Jesus’ words drew attention to the solution. Satan is still deceiving many and for a season his darkness was overwhelming Paul. When Paul learned, by revelation, a deeper understanding of grace, he became an even greater minister. Paul learned that the grace of God can be depended upon. It is a divine intervention. In this present age we who believe in Christ should stop looking for God to do something more. We should learn how to receive Gods grace. When difficulties arise, we beg God for relief. Sometimes there is a delay. Some consider the delay a negative answer from God. Don’t! Continue to seek God in prayer. Jesus said, “men ought always to pray, and not to faint”. (Luke 18:1) He said that because God will respond to our prayers, yet always with wisdom. In everything, Paul pressed toward his goal. God taught Paul to look to the resources already supplied, rather then always expect an act of providence. That is a great lesson every Christian must learn. Paul closed his letter to the Corinthians with the words, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be you with”. Like Paul, The Lord expects Christians to "grow in the GRACE of God".
I realize arguments over Bible issues leave a negative impression on people. However, to let a specious conclusion remain is in itself a failure to resist the devil and to allow him to take further advantage of Christians. Failure to defend the truth of scripture weakens the church and discourages the faith of many brethren. I did not take up this issue to be indignant. Rather, I strove to pull down a powerful stronghold. Paul’s thorn was a continual attack thus requiring a continual counter attack of truth. Paul was a classical battler for the truth. It is in that Spirit I have endeavored to present the truth about the “thorn in the flesh”.