Grace Works!
Text: 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4

In our text, Paul gave two reasons for changing his itinerary and not returning to Corinth as he had once planned:
1. "To spare them" (1:23). Paul wanted to give them a chance to repent.
2. Paul was working with them for their joy (1:24). He avoided being heavy-handed or flaunting his authority. 

Paul was extending grace and giving the Holy Spirit an opportunity to work in their lives. Paul had confidence that his grace toward them would have its desired results: The Corinthians would respond and once again share Paul's joy in Christ (2:3).

It is the Holy Spirit's job to progressively transform us into the image of Jesus. We will see this in a few weeks when we look at Chapter 3. But here is an amazing taste. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). Wow!

God's power and amazing grace is at work in you! "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).

Grace is deep and multifaceted. Reflect on these quotes about grace and spend some dedicated time drawing near to the throne of grace and finding the grace you need for the challenges of today (Hebrews 4:16)!

• Anonymous: "The word grace is probably the greatest word in the Scriptures, even greater even than 'love,' because grace is love in action, and therefore includes it. It is hardly too much to say that God has in no word uttered Himself and all that was in His heart more distinctly than in this word grace!”
• John Piper: "It is incredibly encouraging that God’s grace is both the inclination of the divine heart to treat us better than we deserve and is the extension of that inclination in practical help."  
• Augustine: "For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them."
• Karl Barth: Grace must find expression in life; otherwise, it is not grace.
• Billy Graham: The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.
• Max Lucado: God loves you just as you are, but too much to leave you that way.
• Brennan Manning: My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ, and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it.
• Eugene Peterson: My job is not to solve people’s problems or make them happy, but to help them see the grace operating in their lives.
• John Stott: Grace is God loving, God stooping, God coming to the rescue, God giving himself generously in and through Jesus Christ.
• Dallas Willard: Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action. Grace, you know, does not just have to do with forgiveness of sins alone.
• Charles Spurgeon: If we give God service, it must be because He gives us grace. We work for Him because He works in us.
• Timothy Keller: Those who understand the gospel cannot possibly look down on anyone, since they were saved by sheer grace, not by their perfect doctrine or strong moral character.
• Jared C. Wilson: Grace is not simply about pardoning sinful behavior; it’s also about rewiring the sinners themselves. The grace the Bible talks about is power not just for justification but also for transformation.
• Donald Grey Barnhouse: Love that reaches up is adoration. Love that reaches out is affection. But love that stoops is grace.