2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NKJV) Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is SUFFICIENT for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (emphasis added)The Apostle Paul was being harassed by the messenger of Satan but instead of removing the messenger as Paul had prayed for, God answered by saying that His grace was sufficient for him and His strength was made perfect in weakness. Therefore, we can conclude that God’s grace will grant us the strength especially when we are weak! Or in other words, God’s Grace = God’s Strength!
Ephesians 3:16,20 (NKJV) that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man…… Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
There is a strengthening in our inner man when God infuses His grace to us. God will grant us His strength. While we might be emotionally, intellectually and physically drained but praise be to God that our inner man can be strengthened by God daily. It is His strength that will enable us to continue or soldier on despite the challenges that we are facing daily.
When we are strong in the inner or spirit man, we will not be easily dictated by our flesh, which easily succumbs to temptation. However, when we have not been feeding our inner man, we may have a tendency to be irritable and quick-tempered. If we yield to the flesh, then we will reap corruption as a result of our bad choices. This in turn could lead to other things such as strained relationships, bad investments or other wrong choices. Therefore, we need to build up our inner man so that we will yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading rather than our own flesh.
67% of the world’s population is uncomfortable with changes, instability and insecurity. During this COVID-19 pandemic, many people are separated from family members, have to work from home, or have to learn to cook and do the laundry without any help. Jobs are also becoming unstable. Many are forced to take wage cuts, or to convert to part-time roles with reduction in salaries. Many have lost their jobs. While others become anxious, we can humbly ask God for His grace while waiting for better days to arrive.
May His grace give us the strength to carry us through without being pressed down by the pressure during this period. We can cry out to God and ask for His grace to sustain us for God’s Grace = God’s Strength!
Sermon Series: My Grace Is Sufficient for You (Grace for Living)
神的恩典就是神的能力
哥林多后书 12: 8-10 8为了这事，我曾三次求主使这根刺离开我。 9他对我说：“我的恩典是够你用的，因为我的能力是在人的软弱上显得完全。”所以，我更喜欢夸耀自己的软弱，好使基督的能力覆庇我。 10为基督的缘故，我以软弱、凌辱、艰难、迫害、困苦为可喜乐的事；因为我什么时候软弱，什么时候就刚强了。
使徒保罗曾经向 神祷告，求神为他挪去受撒旦差使所试探的搅扰。神虽然没有直接满足他的祷告，但却用话语坚固保罗，说：“神的恩典够他所用，并且祂的能力是在人的软弱上显得完全。”因此，我们也可以确信 神的恩典会给我们力量，特别是在我们软弱的时候。或者换句话说，神的恩典=神的能力!
以弗所书 3: 16, 20 16为要他按着他丰盛的荣耀，借着他的灵，使你们内心的力量刚强起来；20 神能照着运行在我们心里的大能充充足足地成就一切，超过我们所求所想的。
当 神把祂的恩典倾注给我们的时候，我们里面的人就得以刚强，因为神赐与我们祂自己的能力。有时候，我们会可能在情绪、理智和身体上很疲惫，但感谢主，我们里面的人能每天被神坚固。尽管我们每天面临挑战，但 神的力量使我们继续前进和坚持不懈。
人的肉体容易向试探屈服，惟有在我们的里面的人或灵里的人刚强的时候，我们就不会轻易地被肉体所支配。也就是说，如果我们没有好好喂养我们里面的人，就会出现易怒和暴躁的倾向。如果我们体贴肉体，就会因不当的决定而收获败坏。这也可能因此带来关系上的紧张、投资失利或者做出错误的决定。为此，我们需要好好地建造我们里面的人，顺服于圣灵的带领而不是被肉体所左右。
根据统计，全世界67%的人口对于改变, 不稳定, 不安全的状态感受到不舒服。受新冠肺炎疫情的影响，许多人与家人分开，不得不居家工作，抑或在无助中学习自己下厨、洗衣服。我们工作也变得不稳定。许多人被迫减薪、被调整成兼职状态而减少薪酬。甚至有人因此丢失了原本的工作。很多人会变得焦虑，我们却要谦卑地向 神祷告求恩惠， 等候 更美好的日子来临。
愿 神的恩典给我们力量，特别在这个时期带领我们继续向前、不被席卷而来的压力给淹没。神的恩典就是 神的能力！所以，让我们来呼求祂、渴望祂的恩典，帮助我们站立得稳！
讲章系列：我的恩典够你用