October 31, The Seminary of Suffering.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

2 Corinthians 12.9.

This is God's universal purpose for all Christian suffering, more contentment in God,

and less reliance on self and the world.

I have never heard anyone say,

the really deep lessons of life have come through times of ease and comfort. But I have heard

strong saints say, every significant advance I have ever made in grasping the depths of God's love

and growing deep with Him has come through suffering.

The pearl of greatest price is the glory of Christ.

Thus Paul stresses that in our sufferings,

the glory of Christ's all-sufficient grace is magnified.

If we rely on Him in our calamity and he sustains our

rejoicing in hope, then he is shown to be the all satisfying God of grace and strength that he is.

If we hold fast to him when all around our soul gives way,

then we show that He is more to be desired than all we have lost. Christ said to the

suffering Apostle, My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Paul responded to this.

Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses

so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

For the sake of Christ then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships,

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