Grace Is Empowerment

[Mr. M]

2 Corinthians 12:9 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.

 

Most people I have ever met, both in and out of Christ, prefer to put their strengths on display, 

and be acknowledged by others. They choose their role based on what they feel comfortable and capable of doing.

Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me

by the effectual working of his power.

 

The manifestation of the power of God is the proof of His Grace and Favor upon the humiliated ones.

There is no coincidence that the one who stepped up to speak on Pentecost was the disciple of humiliation.

 

Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

And great grace was upon them all. 

The finest definition of grace comes directly from the scriptures, not the standard "unmerited favor".

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you,

always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Grace= the all-sufficiency (i.e. the empowerment) of God that

abounds in Christ for every God-ordained work.

So in what could I possibly boast?

1 Corinthians 1:

27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen

the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 

28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen,

and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 

29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 

James the Ignoble

[Vine Abider]

As I think we've discussed, grace is shown in scripture to be more than "unmerited favor."  While it is that, it is also Christ's operating power in us and supplying us ongoing. I like how you describe it: 

Grace= the all-sufficiency (i.e. the empowerment) of God that

abounds in Christ for every God-ordained work.

[Mr. M]

41 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

As I think we've discussed, grace is shown in scripture to be more than "unmerited favor."  While it is that, it is also Christ's operating power in us and supplying us ongoing. I like how you describe it: 

Grace= the all-sufficiency (i.e. the empowerment) of God that

abounds in Christ for every God-ordained work.

We also "magnify the Lord" as we conform to one other's gifts.

I mentioned this in a similar fashion with "Mutual Faith".

Romans 1:

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you

some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 

12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you

by the mutual faith both of you and me.

I am sure you are surviving this "miserable winter".

I have been sunning out back every afternoon, you know,

to beat the chill.

[Vine Abider]

19 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

I am sure you are surviving this "miserable winter".

I have been sunning out back every afternoon, you know,

to beat the chill.

LOL!  When my dad moved here to AZ he couldn't help himself from sending an email back east when they'd had a bad winter storm go through.  It would say, "We in Arizona have had some horrible weather too. Just last night a storm came through and caused this." And attached was a picture of a bright, sunny garden patio with a light lawn chair tipped over.  Needless to say, he routinely got some real nasty replies to that!  (which he enjoyed in a sick sort of way)

[Mr. M]

On 1/20/2025 at 7:18 AM, Mr. M said:

Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me

by the effectual working of his power.

 

The manifestation of the power of God is the proof of His Grace and Favor upon the humiliated ones.

 

Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Colossians 1:29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

"according to His working"=Grace is empowerment.