“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. (9) As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad – He hath given to the poor! His righteousness remaineth forever.” [2Cor.9:8-9]
“…my God shall supply all your need – according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (20) Now unto God and our Father be glory forever and ever!” [Phil.4:19-20]
These precious words of gospel truth are comparable with one another. They point out the ever abiding presence and fellowship of an all-governing – all-gracious — eternally loving, guiding and providing Savior. These verses substantiate the words of our Lord Jesus from Jn.16:33 from where He tells us, “These things I have spoken unto you – that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer – I have overcome the world.” Praise His Name!
Only the God of all grace is able to do this for us! Especially, while we are in this weak and ever vulnerable – fallen-in-sin worldly condition. We are so completely dependent upon our Lord and Savior at all times, for all things – and all that we need, in this adverse and affliction-filled world! Yet — He is so completely dependable unto us no matter what we have to face – no matter what we have to go through in this world in order to enter the all-glorious reality of the “Kingdom of God”. We are ever reminded of Ac.14:22, which says: “…confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith – and that – we must through much tribulation – enter into the Kingdom of God.” While “much tribulation” is a fact of life in this world – it is also an eternal gospel truth that our faithful God is able to make all grace to abound into the time of our trials so that nothing can detour nor delay our being able to enter into the eternal safety of His eternal Kingdom and glory! What good work that He has ordained for us to fulfill – His all sufficient enabling grace will see that it gets accomplished!
In order for any true believer to successfully and safely get through this fallen and cursed world, the sovereign grace of God is absolutely necessary! In order for us to even be able to repent for our sins – we need God’s enabling grace. In Ac.5:30-31, the scripture says that God raised up Jesus and exalted Him with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, “for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” In 2Ti.2:24-25, the scripture once again tells us that, “the servant of the Lord must not strive – but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves – if God peradventure – will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth…”. True saving repentance is a grace that only God can – and does – give – bestow — upon each of His eternally loved, chosen and saved children!
In fact, true saving faith is also obviously a grace! Eph.2:8-9 clearly states: “For by grace are ye saved through faith – and that not of yourselves! It is the gift of God. (9) Not of works – lest any man should boast.” Jesus, Himself, explicitly declared from Jn.6:29 “This is the work of God – that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” All who truly and savingly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are each one descriptively declared from Ac.13:48 in this manner: “…and as many as were ordained to eternal life – believed.”
The Lord Jesus is full of grace and truth. It is He who hath dispersed abroad and given His righteousness to the destitute. His righteousness endureth forever. His righteousness eternally justifies us!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
– John Carpenter
