Paul learned what thousands upon thousands of Godβs saints have learned from his day to ours: that it is often more blessed to experience Godβs grace in suffering than to enjoy deliverance from suffering, for in the former case we lean the harder and pray the more, and so are drawn closer to Him. Moreover, we find that His strength is made perfect in weakness and that when we are weak, then are we strong (II Cor. 12:9,10).
But even better things are in store for Godβs people: Some day, βin the ages to come,β God will display to all the universe βthe exceeding riches of His grace.β How will He do this? βIn His kindness toward us through Christ Jesusβ (Eph. 2:7).
Have you accepted the grace of God in Christ Jesus? Do you believe that He loves you and that He βcame into the worldβ to bear all the blame and shame and punishment that was your due, so that you might be βjustified freely by His graceβ (Rom. 3:24)?
Whatever your past; however great or many your sins, take God at His Word. Believe that He loves you in spite of all. Believe that He has already provided the payment for your sins in Christ:
βIn whom we have redemption. through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His graceβ (Eph. 1:7). source
[β¦] word βacceptedβ in the above passage actually comes from the word βgraceβ (Gr. karis) with which the verse begins: ββ¦His grace, wherein He hath engraced us in the [β¦]
[β¦] we are now living underΒ the reign of grace. As βDEATH REIGNED from Adam to Mosesβ (Rom. 5:14); as SIN REIGNED βunto deathβ after [β¦]
[β¦] that this is an acceptable alternative since the matter is not addressed in Paulβs epistles, and we are living under grace. While there does seem to be liberty here, perhaps it is the better part of wisdom to consult the [β¦]
[β¦] is already yours though Christ Jesus our Lord. Simply claim it! Then live one day at a time, by Godβs grace, for His grace is more than sufficient (II Cor. 12:9). [β¦]