Calvin Synod Herald, 2007 (108. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2007-03-01 / 3-4. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Genuine Power Religion “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.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) I. Grace Is Not Necessarily Pleasant A. Paul could have been distracted by personal success in the gospel, but God arranged to keep Paul focused. “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” (2 Corinthians 12:7) B. Christians struggle to do in themselves and in society what Providence did in Paul’s life. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:5) C. The grandeur and transforming power of the gospel can distract beginners, making them vulnerable to sin. “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:6) D. Paul did what was in his power to eliminate the problem restraining him; suffering is not an appropriate goal in itself. “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.” (2 Corinthians 12:8) II. Grace Is Always Sufficient A. God asserts that grace is sufficient for any need a believer may have. “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.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) B. Moses learned the same lesson Paul learned. “And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.” (Exodus 3:11-12) C. The problem for Paul, Moses, and every other believer is to translate the theological doctrine of grace into personal application in the details of daily living. “There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.” (Deuteronomy 33:26-27) D. Do not worry about what is God’s responsibility; Providence serves a larger reality. “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” (Matthew 10:19-20) III. Grace Becomes More Obvious in Trials A. Paul learned to expect God in the worst situations; short leashes work both ways. “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.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) B. Grace in trial becomes a lesson plan for teaching the Christian life to other sufferers. “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4) C. Christian trials are intentional, useful, and well-rewarded. “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” (2 Corinthians 1:5-6) D. The exchange rate of affliction for glory is entirely favorable for Christians. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” (2 Corinthians 4:17) E. What devastates nonbelievers draws God’s people closer to Him. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39) Dr. Edwin P. Elliott, Jr. Reformed Presbyterian Church Manassas, Virginia fb*>*é*
