"Before They Call" Part 2 - Possessing Our Possessions

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe… 

"Before They Call"       

Part 2 - Possessing Our Possessions

We continue our consideration of the Apostle Paul receiving grace when God chose not to remove Paul's thorn in the flesh.

(II Corinthians 12)

   

    

    As is the case with all Biblical doctrine, God's grace rides upon two rails of Truth regarding its outworking in our lives.  First, believers have available access to all necessary grace, as already provided in the Lord Jesus Christ.  "We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2).  Christ Himself is the very essence of God's grace.  Having Him, we have all.  However, the applied administration of such abundance awaits our reception by faith.  "As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee" (Matthew 8:13).  To the degree we know, trust, and submit our hearts to the promises of God will be the degree to which we experience their blessedness.  

    Such wonderful truth encourages our hearts with the assurance of God's provision in all things, as administered by His wisdom and will.  He provides the grace of thorns removed, or the grace of enabling us to endure thorns that remain.  However, great challenge also presents itself to us in the assurance.  We have what we need in Christ.  Will we avail ourselves of the provision?   The ball is actually in our court.  God has supplied.  He is working in our hearts to inspire faith.  He dwells within us as the power thereof.  His Word plainly declares the "all things" of His provision regarding every aspect of "life and godliness" (II Peter 1:3).  Will we believe?  Will we receive thereby?  Or will we dwell in the sad shadow of unbelief, becoming the modern day version of Capernaum? - "He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief" (Matthew 13:58).

   We must build a strong doctrinal conviction in our hearts and minds regarding the presence and availability of God's grace.  Only thereby will we consistently grow in availing ourselves of His freely given provision in the challenges of life.  "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).  The writer of Hebrews beckons us to approach the throne of grace with confidence, based on the Person and work of the Lord Jesus on our behalf.  At the throne, we "find grace," that is, we discover that which is already ours in Christ - "the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 1:4; note that it was to the wayward Corinthian believers that Paul affirmed such existing provision).  Faith finds the grace it already possesses in Christ.  As the prophet prophesied of a coming day for the nation of Israel, "the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions" (Obadiah 1:17).  That day is already here for God's sons and daughters in Christ.  We must possess our possessions, as supplied by our Lord's freely given grace.

      Our experience of God's grace awaits our confidence that the Word of God is true, the supply of God is available, and the glory of God is at stake.  Indeed, to the degree we trust will be the degree to which we access the abundance of a thorn removed, or of enabling to endure if the challenge remains.  Either way, the grace of God in the Lord Jesus is our hope, our assurance, and our available provision in all things.

"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."

(II Corinthians 9:8)

Weekly Memory Verse

    "Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy and Thy truth's sake." 

(Psalm 115:1)

  

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