Studying the Bible, we can often find distinct stand-alone passages that can be seen as interconnected. Each valuable in their own right but when forged together like different metals form a new and stronger alloy. Like carbon and iron making steel, or tin and copper making bronze. There are three passages I find that fit into this category.

The first is Romans 7:19. This is where Paul laments about his weakness of the flesh. He confesses that fails to do the good he wants and instead does the evil he doesn’t want to do. I believe every Christian can read this passage and nod our head in agreement. We all have some sin in our life we wish to cast out. It could be pride, lust, gossip, anger or any other weakness we constantly find ourselves falling into time and time again. These sins of weakness fill us with self-loathing and like Paul in our wretchedness we cry out “who can save us?”

Then we read II Corinthians 12:9 and read how Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” caused him to beg God to take it away. The earlier verses talk of this thorn being a demon that tormented him. Maybe it was a demon within. Could it not have been the struggle he told of in the Roman letter? Could his thorn have been some sin, some temptation that he constantly struggled against, and from time to time have to plead forgiveness for his failure? Doesn’t that explain his begging God to take it from him? How often do we beg God to take our weaknesses from us? But like Paul we would be inclined to be conceited. For would we not look down on others struggling and wonder why they were so weak.

Which leads us to the third passage; Matthew 13:24. The parable of the weeds. Remember how the angels asked if they should tear out the weeds sown among the wheat by the enemy. Recall that the master’s statement, he said no for it would tear out the good with the bad.

Could that not be why Christ answered Paul’s pleas for help with “my grace is sufficient?” If all our sins and weaknesses were removed, what goodness and strengths would also be torn out of us? Doesn’t our constant struggle with sin lead to our compassion for the sinner? As much as we wish that we have to rely on God’s grace only once, is it not better to call on his grace daily and accept his constant forgiveness?

I’m not saying, as Paul mocked, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” Like Paul, I say, “God forbid.” Bul let us not be conceited and show compassion towards other’s struggles as we beg for compassion in ours. And know, to remove all evil in us can also remove some of the good.

#Romans 7:19 #IICorintians 12:9 #Mathew 13:24 #God’s Grace