Great Grace

Summary Scripture:

Acts 4:33

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Note that the grace of God is associated with power. That power gave witness to Jesus having risen from the dead. For they declared, proclaimed and did all in His name. The purpose of grace resting upon the apostles was for giving proof of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. They were the first to experience this grace. When Peter and John encounter the beggar at the gate called Beautiful, they said to him, “Look on us, silver and gold have we none, but such as we have, we give unto thee, rise up and walk.” Their personage did not display material wealth, all they had was the Spirit of Grace resting upon them. Paul was not among the original apostles. However, he came to understand that he could not work the works of Christ without the Spirit of Christ resting upon him.

2 Corinthians 12:9

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

We talked about the ramification of this scripture for years. It is no new thing that we should be told that when we are weak in infirmities, His strength is made perfect in or upon us. However, it is the next verse that renders a departure from the truth in the sons of God.

2 Corinthians 12:10

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Please take note here, that it was in prayer that Paul discovered the power of grace. It was in prayer that the Lord spoke to him, “My grace is sufficient.” If the Lord spoke to Paul in prayer, he will do the same for us. But the heart must be pure and righteous before the Lord. The intent or motive of your heart must be to do the will of the Father. Nevertheless, reproaches, necessities, persecutions and distresses are not what the Body of Christ signed up for. They have been trained to vehemently oppose any doctrine that suggests any type of suffering. Yet, they cry out for the Jesus ministry. This opposition to suffering is strong in the church today, even though Paul told every church of its necessity.

Philippians 3:7-10

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,

and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Here Paul becomes proof and a manifestation of the belief in the mandate that God has set for the sons. They must all enter into the fellowship of Christ suffering. As I was writing this, I heard the devil’s influence in the hearts of the people of God. Some will say to themselves, “that suffering business is for those who are called to the ministry.” Well, that is simply not true. Suffering is the method by which we come to truly know the personage and power of Christ. It is not the power only that suffering for Christ’s sake brings us, but it is also the knowledge of Christ that serves to deepen our love and obedience to him. Therefore, as Paul said, for unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake; Philippians 1:29.

It is when we suffer in the flesh that God releases the power of the resurrection. There is no other way to obtain it. Therefore, it is futile for you to seek for the power of God to be manifested in and through you, without being willing to suffer persecution, distresses, infirmities, reproaches and even death. The sad truth is that many will not come close to embracing this truth because they already wrestle with ministerial infractions to their image. They struggle with being associated with a ministry that does not have all the trappings money has afforded other larger churches. They struggle with being apart from their friends and family members, who attend other churches. Identifying with Christ is not enough. They want the association with those of status and prestige.

The great grace of God is the power of the resurrection resting upon us. It is given to those who are willing to enter into the fellowship of Christ suffering. There is no other way. But I am encouraged to believe that there are some of us who will accept and embrace this grace; for it is the power of God to win the lost and save as many as God has ordained. The question is, “Do you want to be one who walks in this great grace?

ace or will you attempt to avoid suffering and end up in darkness?” That is the alternative for those who have heard the truth but refuse to walk therein.