Abounding Grace

Today's Verse:

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: ~2 Corinthians 9:8

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We have reflected on the subject of grace in a few of our previous My God Morning's. I am thankful that God’s grace is abundant. There is never a shortage of His grace for our lives. When I think about Paul’s words that “he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ,” I believe the work of God’s grace in our lives is included in this. This morning, let us consider the work of God’s abounding grace.

Grace abounds where there is a shortage.

There was a need for a special offering for the needy saints in Jerusalem. The believers at Macedonia responded to this need in an incredible fashion. They gave a very liberal offering in spite of being poverty-stricken in their circumstances. Paul was now encouraging the Corinthians to follow this same example and also to respond to this same shortage. Thankfully, the Corinthians did see this need. However, the thought here is that God’s grace responds whenever there is a shortage or a need. The need that Paul appealed to the believers about was real. God’s grace went to work in hearts about responding to this shortage.

Grace abounds where there is sympathy.

The Corinthians sympathized with the need. Sympathy is when we feel the hurt of another person. It is when we are so moved that we come alongside of them to encourage and comfort them. Paul said about the Corinthians that he knew the forwardness of their mind. In other words, they were moved to respond to the need. The abounding of grace stirs us to action. It provokes us to do something about the need and not be satisfied until it is fulfilled.

Grace abounds when there is a stirring.

Then, Paul spoke about the zeal of the Corinthians. Abounding grace stirs us. This stirring prompts us to do something quickly. It’s not enough to let the shortage work in our thoughts. We must be ready to do what is necessary to meet the need. In 2 Corinthians 8:11 Paul said, “Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.” Do what you can with what you have. Do what you can as soon as you have been stirred.

Grace abounds where there is a scattering.

The time comes when we respond to the shortage or need by availing our resources to this need. This scattering is to be uninhibited. This scattering is of a free will. This scattering is to be out of the abundance of our heart. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” There is no such thing as “giver’s remorse” when grace abounds. Our scattering is to be specific. Our scattering is to be sacrificial. Our scattering is to be sportive.

Where grace has abounded, there is satisfaction.

When grace is abounding, we see God working in us and for us. In 2 Corinthians 9:8-10 Paul said, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)” Think of the incredible satisfaction that we have. God more than compensates us for responding to the need. We are doing the will of God by responding to the Spirit’s prompting. God is glorified through our obedience.

Let God’s grace abound in your life. Only then can we comprehend the grace of God in giving Jesus to be the sacrifice for our sins. Only then can we experience growth and satisfaction as God would have us to.

Have a grace-filled God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Chronicles 28-31

#2Corinthians #Grace