Divine Engineering
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB
Sufficient – Is grace really sufficient for you? Are you content with the way God has engineered your life to bring you close to Him? Do you recognize that grace is not something you possess, a trophy on your shelf? Do you see that grace is the sum total of God’s relationship with you, the ups and downs, the struggles and victories, the path you are walking right now? Is it enough?
Brené Brown’s research on vulnerability suggests that the key to true relationship is the core belief that you are enough, that you matter just as you are, that nothing more is needed for you to be valued. God’s grace, that active involvement in the long and winding road of your life, is His declaration that you are enough. You are loved. You matter to Him. The only question is whether or not His grace is sufficient for you.
Paul’s Greek choice here is arkei, the present tense, active indicative of arkeo. Paul is thinking about “the sense of God’s guidance and the readiness for obedience.”[1] In other words, to be sufficient means to accept the path God is constructing and to walk in it. Grace is a way of living, not an ossified theological doctrine. To experience grace is to trust and obey.
By the way, this does not mean life on your terms. Greek philosophy taught that sufficiency meant self-reliance, the power to determine on your own which road you will take. The biblical idea opposes such nonsense. While we can insist on shaping our own destinies, that demand ultimately challenges the sovereignty of the One True God, and shows itself to be nothing but another form of idolatry. In the end, self-sufficiency is sin. The sooner we put aside the idea that life is what we make of it, the sooner we will enter into the cooperative adventure God intends. And the sooner we will discover that grace is enough.
Perhaps today you will have the opportunity to chose grace. You will have the chance to say, “This too is from the hand of the Lord.” You will be presented with a fork in the road. One way will seem to be the way of control, power and self-reliance. The other will appear as weakness, humility and defeat. Grace hangs in the balance.
Choose wisely.
Topical Index: sufficient, arkeo, grace, power, 2 Corinthians 12:9
[1] Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (78). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
Thank you for the challenge reminder, Skip. Is His grace really sufficient for me? This is a minute-by–minute question. If He accepts (loves) me ‘just as I am”, right this minute, then, to meet Him there, I have to do the same. I have to accept Him, too. Then agree with Him and accept myself. Then, and only then, am I in the correct place to accept others, and life, and everything else. It takes humility to do all of those things!
Walking in grace. Gracefully walking. Watching nature do just this is what shows me what it is. Meeting the moment with all of me: staying in the present; not guilty about yesterday or worried about the next minute (prideful endeavors, all). His grace has been fully supplied, but the supply depot is not in the past (conversion) or the future (when I die). It is only available right now – the depot is built in the present (the only place there is to meet eternity). I have to show up in that place to get my package. Am I present and accounted for? Only when I am trusting Him and believing Him when He tells me He has it all covered. Then I have the courage to stay. Just for today, His grace is sufficient for me. When I truly believe that, I will be a grace full person: not fretting or fearful or absent from my moments. I want to quit being awkward (not matching the present correctly). I want to be a graceful person. I have a challenge today! Halleluah!
I think God’s people would do well to attend some AA meetings. I did years ago with a friend to see what they were like. As I sat listening to people, I thought, this is what the Church should look like. Now just tell that to all those, even the Church, who want a 5-year plan!
Acceptance is the key for me. Acceptance that life, whatever life is, is the vehicle used to inform me, conform me and eventually transform me to His will, not my will.
His declaration that you are enough.
This I do not read in this specific verse, I do however read it in other scriptures that we should come as we are. For me implying do not try to perfect yourself before humbling yourself. God created us, He knows what He as hardwired in us. We just need to accept that as it is – your previous post explains this one well.
My grace is sufficient…
This is God telling us we only need to trust and rely on His strength to do what He has called us for. We are animals surviving through input, sowing, reaping, bullying and getting more – more pain more gain. This is our choice doing what God desires is totally reliant on His grace and the gifts he bestows on us. Not because I am enough but because God is in control…
The biblical idea opposes such nonsense.
I agree 100% with this statement.
Thank you for the reminder that we are but God’ creation and He can do wonders with our lives when we humble ourselves unto Him. Not when things are right in my life but when I accept my life is just as God needs it…
Dana
Your advise is what I also believe we need to have, to stay in the breaking of the bread without adding our interpretations to scriptures but to tell it as it is recorded. When we do this I believe we are doing exactly what Yeshua done to overcome the devil during his 40 days of temptation…
I think it is very difficult to let go of self-reliance, power and control especially in our culture. It is all about the good life. What is the good life? My definition has changed.
AA is a wonderful 12-step program. It saved my life. But I would extend that out to other 12-step programs. And it was my experience that in AA people tended to wear their years of sobriety like a merit badge. And some of those people with many years experience were sometimes still in need of recovery. They had stopped drinking but done very little else. And there was usually a stifling of feelings in AA that were allowed in other types of 12 step groups. All in all though, people are people and so whether you were sinless or 20 years sober, the thought process was the same.
But I thank God for Bill W and Dr. Bob. Bill W had a spiritual experience but further down the road i think he realized he needed to heal from childhood trauma and he tried to do this but was met with resistance. People don’t like change. But he stayed faithful and God blessed him. He suffered from depression but after he finished his work he never suffered another bought of depression.
The words you have written the last two days have been so meaningful to me. Thank you, Skip. I hope YHVH continues to bless you. Shalom to you and all in this community. May we take these words you so sincerely share and apply them to our actions as we walk out our faith.
I have so many friends into the “You can achieve what you believe” mantra of life. One former friend has even written a book called, “How to Hypnotize Yourself With Your Eyes Open” where he teaches you to overcome any addiction or bad behavior you need to overcome, simply by self-hypnotization. I love him dearly, and am so very sad he is so deceived. I would do anything to help him see the truth. While he no longer considers himself a ‘Christian’, SO many self-professing “believers” I know are in bondage to this type of thinking. It’s such a trap, and such a lie. Thank you for calling it what it is: Idolatry! But, it brings up another observation that stirs up endless questions for me. Here in the Mid-South, we are surrounded by many folks (and many “believers” that are into the “food storage/preparing for the end of the world upcoming disaster”. So…is not that idolatry, too? Who needs Yahweh’s provision if we have stored everything ourselves. But, I am told by these people we should prepare “as Joseph” did, but, I see is a difference: Joseph got specific direction from Yahweh through his dream interpretations, and he stored food for hundreds (if not thousands) of people…not just for his “own family”. I’m thinking of people building bunkers, etc., with ammo and enough food to last 30 years. Is there trust or faith in God for Manna if you have gone and stored everything you need for the next 10 years? Am I the only one who wonders about these things, and am I wrong in my perception? Am I wrong to believe if I truly believe His grace is sufficient….it means even if the sky is falling? I’m thinking I would rather learn how to starve to death believing Him for my provision than continue to be fat and happy in my own self-sufficiency. I already do that enough, *without* the sky falling. Lord, help me.
Teresa, Your response is very much correct, and as you know my age, it brought back some true examples that happened to real people interwoven in our lives in the 1970’s. It was another time when people thought “hard times-great famines–no food–bunkers- cellars were needed to collect all the things people should gather–etc.. So a precious well educated couple, with plenty of money-good jobs and their three children were enticed by family members in Arkansas to leave the City of Houston, TX, and move to a farming area in Arkansas. Among the things they left with us in our garage were five gallon tin cans of wheat, and a $500. wooden grinder to grind the wheat. About 25 Years went by, and we moved to the top of TX to care for my elderly parents. We left our home quickly to tend to my parents, and our home sold quickly and an athlete of Ed’s from the U. owned a movie co. and was in real estate, so he had our things packed up and moved to top of TX after we found a home there. YES, all those tins of wheat and beautiful wooden grinder were sent along with our household possessions. So after my parents passes away in about six years, we decided to move down to Central TX, and for unknown reasons we brought all that stuff with us.
Now to the punch line, we started running a 1880’s mansion here with a B & B, and so after about ten years, we were trying to clean out some things at our home here, and I insisted that my husband take those large five gallon tins out to the B & B, and give to the goats. He did, goats will eat anything, right? Well they would not even nibble it, totally ignored it! So much food stored up over a long period of time will be wasted! And even worse than that, two of three children hated the farm live in Arkansas,
LaVaye — what a story!! Well, I’m having a little too much fun with a few of these folks. I’ll say, “So…if you are so set on being raptured before the Tribulation, then why are you bothering storing food? Or are you worried you’ll be left behind?” And then they just look at me, cause they don’t know how to answer. Honestly – it’s a bit sad. I am astounded the goats wouldn’t eat the wheat — they eat garbage! Thanks for sharing!! – Teresa
Teresa, To be ready and prepared is always a wise thing to do, in any situation, and particularly these situations-
The annual hurricanes, blizzards, and tornadoes that may hit anytime
The likelihood of civil unrest in our volatile society
The possibility of a tainted municipal water supply
A personal economic crisis, like an unexpected expense or a job loss
A national economic collapse, like the one in Venezuela
A horrifying crime wave like the one in Europe due to clashes between Europeans and migrants.
And to have vital documents packed ready to leave in such emergencies. Shalom.
Teresa what a blessing it is to read your statement.
I have learned a lot reading Skip’s work over the past several years, and reading the responses here. I’ve tried to put most of what I’ve learned into practice by the way I live life. This is THE most important reality to grasp for me, God’s sovereignty over my life, and whether that is OK with me, especially in the difficult times.
Its been a struggle but I’m getting there. Its not about passive acceptance, it’s about starting to feel, or know, that God is reliable and cares about my welfare, even when I can’t see any evidence of it. In other words, I can trust Him, even when I might be pleading for a new fork in the road.
~ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.~
(2 Corinthians 12.9)
His grace is not only sufficient, but assiduous and abundant! There is truly no other word for grace but “amazing!”
But why has God chosen the weak things of the world to display His power? His power, not only to save, but to secure and to succor. “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him because He always lives to make intercession for them.” What did our Savior say to Peter? “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Did Christ ever pray any prayer that was not answered? None! Can any think of a better intercessor than the One we now have praying for us? – Me either.
Think of the grace, all of the good things we have received from His prodigal, benevolent hand.. [only] “all things that pertain unto life and godliness!”
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The LORD will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.
Is God good? – [only] All the time.. and(?) – this prodigal [lavish,extravagant] grace extends to all peoples everywhere.
Faith without works /action is dead. We do need to do our part-participate /co-operate in what YHWH is doing. Through us He brings forth deliverance, true liberty to all creation, proclaiming His grace / chesed, mercies and righteousness, and we in return extend / exhibit those qualities to those in need.
We can never be self-sufficient /independent. We were created to be gregarious, needing others to supply the needs to one another. Neither can we be self-reliant, therefore.
Example- Acts 17:11 The searching of the Tanakh by the Berean Jews led many to believe the gospel, as presented by Paul.
When Paul came to the Jews proclaiming the gospel, they did something which too few Christians do – they tested Paul’s words against what was already established Truth. Misguided Christian soldiers?
They SEARCHED! Searched in this verse is “anakrino” – “to investigate, to examine closely, to judge, to interrogate, to scrutinize, to sift, to question.”
His grace is sufficient when we walk in Torah ways with a Hebraic mindset.
Shalom!
I have recently read, Dr. Brene Brown, PhD, LMSW, book “DARING GREATLY” and her “TED talk ” conference videos on vulnerability in a Narcissistic society, she quotes , Theodore Roosevelt , a passage from at the Sorbonne in Paris, France on April 23, 1910.[1]
One notable passage on page seven of the 35-page speech is referred to as
“The Man in the Arena”:[2][3]
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizenship_in_a_Republic
Blessed or fortunate are all who are fail and are vulnerable about it and real the will ___________________ How would HaShem put it.. or your self.
Thank you for this. GREAT quote!