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By Van Sprague

Paul thanked God for the Philippian Christians. He said they were all partakers with him of grace. Grace is always good, but we might not always recognize it. If we aren’t careful, we may tend to shun the grace Paul talked about sharing.

Paul regularly made requests for these brethren. They had fellowship in the gospel. They were with him in his heart, in his chains, and in his defense of the gospel. This was all part of what it meant to be partakers with him of Grace. Jesus was going to complete His work in them, but as Paul had been encouraged he encouraged others that, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22, Unless otherwise stated: Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Used by permission. All rights reserved).

Often we think of grace as God’s care for us that ensures we will not suffer hardship. Not only is this concept wrong, but there are times when it is used in an entirely opposite way in the Scriptures.

What was the grace of God bestowed on Macedonia?

“… that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality” (2 Cor 8:2).

How can God’s grace be found in trial, affliction, and poverty? It becomes clear that the joy, riches, and liberality of God are not dependent upon our physical condition, but on our spiritual connection. Even more, God’s greatness is not dependent on us, but it can be exhibited through us.

When Paul prayed that a physical difficulty he had would be removed, God answered, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul concluded, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:9, 10).

We generally associate struggles like sickness and financial difficulty with negativity and evil. On the contrary, by God’s grace, we can not only be content despite such times, we can grow in them (Jas 1:2-4; Rom 5:1-5). Through such challenges, we can also direct others to the glory of God by the light He shines through us in the darkest of times (Matt 5:13-16; Phil 2:14-15).

“When I am weak, then I am strong!”

Van Sprague is an evangelist at the Church of Christ at Houston Park. He has a wife and three children. Come Visit! Sunday morning Bible class is at 9, with worship at 10 am and 5 pm. Wednesday night Bible class is at 6.