Grace
Sufficiency of Grace
2 Timothy 2:1
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is
in Christ Jesus.
NIV
We do not have time in this study to look closely at Romans 14:1-15:13, but in this section Paul considers the relationship between the “weak Christian” and the “strong Christian.” At the heart of this discussion is a conclusion – namely that the strong Christian must display such grace and mercy to the weak Christian that he never, ever, ever causes any type of harm – real or imagined – to the weak Christian. Why? Because God has already accepted the weak Christian into the family, so the grace of God demands such a response on the part of the strong Christian.
I challenge you to inspect your own heart. When a weaker brother does not act the way you think is “proper,” don’t you spring forth to “strengthen him out so he grows?” While there are proper teaching settings, Paul says that we must be ever so careful about acting in this fashion. Such a response is not from grace. The King is in charge. We must follow the King. The King says to act in grace. We must act in grace.
If you want a biblical example of what I mean, consider reading Esther. Every time Esther goes to the King her requests start off “if it pleases the king.” This is true even after the King has seen through Haman’s plot and hung him on a tree and entered the decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves. Even at the height of her “victory” Esther still approaches the king with an “if it pleases you” attitude. If Esther takes such an approach with an earthly king, how much more so should we take such an approach with our heavenly Father.
This being the case, if God treats every Christian in grace, we must do the same. And, God has given us the ability to do this – by grace!
2 Corinthians 12:9
9
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.NKJV
