“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Cor 9:8 NIV)
God has not called us to a life of lack. What I am saying is that lack is not consistent with the new life we have received in Christ Jesus. In order to make this clear to us, the Spirit speaks to us in the above scripture, saying, “God is able to make all grace abound to you.” Think about that. This scripture does not say, “God is able to make some grace abound to us.” Instead, it says, “He is able to make all grace abound to us.” That means He has the ability to make the fullness of His grace available to us.
Now what do we stand to gain by having the fullness of God’s grace? Paul tells us. He says it will ensure that in all things and at all times we have all that we need and abound in every good work. And that is exactly what God wants for all of us. He wants us to have everything we need every time we need it. And He wants us to do more good and beautiful things for ourselves and others. That is why He has made His grace available to us this month and throughout this year. And all that we need to do is to receive or accept it by faith.
See, it is only those who accept God’s grace that will enjoy the blessings of God. What I am saying is that it is only those who accept God’s provisions for them – because the grace of God is the embodiment of His provisions – that will have all their needs met all the time and increase in every good thing. They are the only ones that will ride upon the high places of the earth and live victoriously over every situation.It is no big wonder, then, that Paul says:
“…But now those people who accept God’s full grace and the great gift of being made right with him will surely have true life and rule through the one man, Jesus Christ.” (Rom 5:17 NCV)
Now look at that carefully, for there is a point there that we must not miss. Paul speaks of ‘those who accept God’s full grace’. But can anyone accept what God has not given? No. So, it must mean that God has already given His grace, and that is why people are able to accept or receive it, or even reject it. That, of course, is the consistent position of the Scriptures. (Cf. Eph 1:3, 7-8; 4:7; Tit 2:11; 2Pet 1:3)
So we don’t need to pray to God for more grace, for many of us have not even started using the grace He has provided for us at all. Rather, we need to accept His grace, in all its fullness. And we can begin to do that by praying to God to open our eyes to see what He has already provided for us, so that we may accept it and begin to enjoy it (Eph 1:18-19). And that, of course, is the reason we have the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. It is through them that God makes His grace known to us and shows us how to apply it to our circumstances. (Cf. John 5:39; 16:13; 1Cor 2:12-13)
Now as we begin to apply God’s grace or provisions to the situations of our lives, we will begin to see all our needs being met every time and see our lives being increased in capacity to do more good and wonderful things. And so be it, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Life Application: Instead of asking for more grace, pray Ephesians 1:18 over your life: “Lord, open the eyes of my heart to see what You have already given me.” Then list three areas where you have felt lack – strength, wisdom, patience, finances – and search the Scriptures for what God has said about each. Choose one promise, thank Him for it, and act on it by faith this week. Remember too the purpose of grace in this text: that you may abound in every good work, so ask where you can be generous with what He has given you.
