“Trial By Grace”

[Netchaplain]

“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weakness….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 Cor 12:9, 10).

The thorn in the flesh was a heavy trial for Paul.  It was not sent because of personal failure, but because of the abundance of revelation given to him—it was a preventative.  There was danger lest the flesh should boast, and God gives him a thorn.  Paul prayed thrice for its removal.  The Father tells him that His grace is sufficient, there is no need to remove it, and moreover his infirmity was but an occasion for the power of Christ to rest upon him.  Then he glories in that which he has prayed to be taken away.  The Lord Jesus was exalted and Paul was content.  Here is the “moral fruit,” the Father’s object in sending the thorn: no failure and needed chastening here, but a lesson of grace to an honored servant of Christ.

The trials of saints, as they come from the Father, are generally, if not always, immediately connected with the position grace gives.  The Father in His sovereignty calls His saints to fill various places of service, some to rule and authority. Some to teaching or preaching, others may only know the place of suffering and weeping.  Nevertheless all are for the carrying out of one great purpose, the accomplishment of one will, a whole in which each saint however humble has his part.

The Father has a niche in His temple for each, a place assigned by grace.  It is there each is tested.  But if grace appoints the place, it is always there to maintain saints in it.  Often the trial is allowed through our want of faith to hide the grace, and then we complain and murmur.  “But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor 10:13).  He always provides the necessary grace.

There are other trials which have their root in unfaithfulness.  The Father permits such, but does not directly send them, and surely controls and guides to a gracious result, for His mercy endureth forever.  Such trials become rods in His child-training hand.  But when He sends trials to a faithful saint it is for the purpose of proving faith, which is more precious that of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, and of giving lessons in the school of faith.

The fruitful branch is purged that it may bring forth more fruit.  More and better fruit is the Father’s object.  Hidden things may be in the heart of the faithful, unknown and therefore unjudged.  The trial is sent to disclose the hidden thing that it may be purged away.  Not all trials are chastenings.  We should gravely err if we judged every suffering saint to be under discipline through failure.  Where there is faithfulness we often see what appears to be heaviest trials but in truth it is for the display of the sustaining power of grace that others may see and learn.
–R Beacon

[nChrist]

Amen! - Thank you Lord for your grace.

[Netchaplain]

Amen! - Thank you Lord for your grace.

Amen to your amen Brother!  Presently I'm in the study of God's grace and am attempting to determine why He would call some and not others in "drawing" souls to Christ, as we know that this drawing is required for salvation. 

Presently my understanding is that He would not be unjust in drawing nobody, but out of His grace He is doing so, and His choices were made from eternity past, before anyone did any good or bad.  Since Scripture is not clear concerning His reason, I'm presently satisfied with the fact that we probably are not to know why.

[nChrist]

2 Peter 3:9 KJV  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Whosoever will may come to Christ and will not be turned away.

Romans 10:13-21 KJV  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  18  But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.  19  But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.  20  But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.  21  But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Jesus Christ died on the cross for ALL of mankind, but many won't listen and will reject Him.

John 3:16-18 KJV  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

[Netchaplain]

Here's my understanding of 2 Peter 3:9:

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise"; He is diligent (not slack) concerning the promise of His return.

"as some men count slackness"; some were doubting His promise concerning His return (v 4).

"but is longsuffering to us-ward"; that is, towards the elect who are predestined for eternal life, for the remnant will perish (consisting of the generality of mankind--Matt 7:13, 14).

"not willing that any should perish"; any of the elect.

"but that all should come to repentance"; all--meaning the remnant of the elect who have yet to enter regeneration through repentance.

[nChrist]

I'm not a Calvinist, so we can agree to disagree. I believe that ANYBODY can be saved and that Jesus Christ died on the cross for all of mankind.

[Netchaplain]

I'm not a Calvinist, so we can agree to disagree. I believe that ANYBODY can be saved and that Jesus Christ died on the cross for all of mankind.

I understand and appreciate your reply, as I'm sure there are many doctrines of Scripture which many believers differ in belief.