Grace Church

In Galatians 6:12, Paul reveals the motives of the Judaizers. He says that they “desire to make a good showing in the flesh…that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.” I imagine a spectrum here. At one end stand the Judaizers, desiring to “make a good showing in the flesh”, that people will think highly of them. At the other end of the spectrum stands Paul, willing to “suffer persecution for the cross of Christ”, if only the pure Gospel will be known.

I think we can all agree that we should be more like Paul and less like the Judaizers. The problem is, when I honestly evaluate myself, I find myself much closer to the Judaizers. I care–deeply–what others think of me. That concern is so often my motivation for doing a certain thing, or behaving a certain way. I admit this to my shame. The question is: how can I move away from fear-of-man and toward fear-of-God?

I think Paul’s attitude is the key. Let’s examine his attitude toward suffering and persecution. He “rejoices” in his sufferings (Colossians 1:24). He “takes pleasure” in reproaches and persecutions for Christ’s sake (2 Corinthians 12:10). He “exults” in tribulations (Romans 5:3). He even considers suffering for Christ’s sake to be a gift from God (Philippians 1:29). I’m a bit convicted here: the lens through which Paul sees the world is radically different from mine!

In his book “Desiring God”, John Piper declares, “This is God’s universal purpose for all Christian suffering: more contentment in God and less satisfaction in self and the world.” He uses Paul’s shipwreck in 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 as an example. When we “are burdened beyond measure, above strength”–when we “despair even of life”–we learn to “rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” Yes!

So, if you’re wanting to truly walk by grace instead of the law, please pray this with me:

“Father, I know that your grace is sufficient for me. Like Paul has exhorted me, I want to live not under law, but under grace. Please help me! If suffering and persecution is what it takes to wean me from self-reliance, then please bring it. I know that my comfort only makes me complacent, so shake me out of that dangerous lukewarmness, and catapult me into a radical dependence on you, as I boast only in the cross of your Son. I want to know the joy of utter dependence on your sufficient grace. I trust you, and I know that I’ll be OK, because you, Sovereign Lord, are good. Amen.”