On the Nature and Efficacy of Divine Grace
T. Gisborne, M. A. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 For this thing I sought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.… I. THE GRACE OF CHRIST IS INDISPENSABLY NECESSARY TO SALVATION. II. The grace of Christ, as necessary to salvation, is PLACED WITHIN THE REACH OF EVERY MAN. III. THE MEANS, BY WHICH THE GRACE OF GOD IS TO BE OBTAINED, ARE DISTINCTLY REVEALED TO US. IV. I propose to set before you THE TESTS AND PROOFS BY WHICH THE EFFECTUAL ACQUISITION OF DIVINE GRACE IS ASCERTAINED. A tree is known by its fruits. V. The grace of Christ is ALL-SUFFICIENT. 1. Divine grace is sufficient to supply strength to withstand temptation. 2. The grace of Christ is sufficient to enable His servants to perform efficaciously unto His glory the undertakings with which He entrusts them. 3. The grace of Christ is sufficient to give comfort under afflictions, and to convert them into means of improvement in faith and holiness. 4. The grace of Christ is sufficient for salvation. 1. I would in the first place address myself to those persons who have hitherto neglected or despised the grace of God. 2. To those among you who have laboured to obtain the grace of Christ, and to apply to its proper object the strength which is granted from above, meditations on the nature and the efficacy of the promised gift of the Spirit of God are perhaps not less important than to the careless or the hardened sinner. Grieve not then the Holy Spirit of God. (T. Gisborne, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. WEB: Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.