March 23
Christ's Grace Sufficient
The Christian's Daily Treasury"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness."—2 Corinthians 12:9.
PAUL had this assurance from God for his comfort under trials, and every believer has the same. Note
THE CHRISTIAN'S WEAKNESS. This fact is assumed in the passage before us. We need not bring forward arguments to prove it; for we have evidences of it in our every day's experience. Our weakness is seen in the discharge of duties, and the endurance of trials; it is implied in the promises of Scripture, for while they reveal our privileges, they remind us of our weakness and imperfections; and it is acknowledged before God in our prayers.
THE SAVIOUR'S STRENGTH. "My strength is made perfect in weakness;" that is, in thy weakness my power is more evident. This is the case in those things in which there appears no resemblance between the agency and the instrumentality — such as the dividing of the waters of the Red Sea, by the stretching forth of the hand of Moses; and the falling of the walls of Jericho, by the blowing of the rains' horns. The grace of Christ is sufficient for all things — for our work and warfare, our duties and dangers.
To justify our persons. There is no guilt he cannot expiate; no corruption he cannot subdue; no crime, however atrocious, that he cannot pardon.
To sanctify our natures. While his grace pardons sin, it purifies the sinner, and extends its cleansing influences over all the powers and passions of the mind.
To aid us in duty. Our religious performances will be dead and dull, without the life-giving power of his grace; but with it we shall be enabled cheerfully to fulfil the duties that devolve on us, however arduous and difficult.
To support us in trials. In Christ there is an ocean of grace, from which the streams of consolation abundantly flow into the believer's heart; so that, while his comforts are sweetened, his sorrows are soothed, and his happy spirit aspires to that blissful land where the bitter waters of affliction shall never mingle with the pure and perennial springs of the river of life. Let me pray for a deeper sense of my own weakness, and a firmer reliance on Christ's strength.