極大的奧秘 - 基督與教會

Meaning

Periods of trials, hardships, sufferings, or pressures that serve as catalysts for spiritual growth

God's favor and power bestowed upon believers; God Himself becoming our portion for our enjoyment

Tribulation is actually the embodiment of grace and the sweet visitation of grace; to reject tribulation is to reject grace

2 Cor 12:7-9 "A thorn was given me in the flesh... He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you'"

Rom 8:28 "All things work together for good to those who love God"

Rom 8:29 "Predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son"

2 Cor 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all"

Rom 5:2 "Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand"

Rom 5:11 "Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ"

1 Pet 5:10 "The God of all grace... after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you"

Phil 3:10 "That I may know Him... and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings"

2 Cor 12:9-10 "I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me... For when I am weak, then I am strong"

2 Pet 1:2-4 "Grace and peace be multiplied to you... that you may become partakers of the divine nature"

Function

1. Produces endurance

2. Shapes character

3. Promotes transformation and sanctification

4. Helps believers to be conformed to the image of Christ

1. Enables believers to exult in God

2. Brings peace

3. Produces hope

4. Manifests God's love and riches

Grace primarily visits us in the form of tribulation, through which God causes all things to work together for our benefit

Distinction

Appears outwardly as difficult and painful experiences

God's favor and supply, allowing us to enjoy His presence and blessing

Tribulation is the external manifestation, grace is the internal substance; tribulation is the vessel, grace is the content

Application

1. Accept and embrace tribulation

2. View tribulation as the visitation of grace

3. Learn endurance through tribulation

4. Experience God's work through tribulation

1. Stand in the realm of grace

2. Walk in the way of peace

3. Exult and rejoice in God

4. Enjoy God Himself as our portion

Like Madame Guyon who "welcomed the cross," recognizing that each tribulation is the manifestation and work of God's grace

Spiritual Process

Tribulation is the uncomfortable but necessary part of the life process

God knows all we need to complete this process of life

Tribulation and grace together constitute God's work in the believer's life

Metaphorical Relationship

Like

the suffering of the cross

Like

God Himself becoming our portion

Just as God became flesh in Jesus; outwardly He was merely the man Jesus, but actually He was God. Similarly, outwardly our circumstances are tribulation, but actually they are grace

Results

Produces endurance, proven character, steadfastness, and capacity for suffering

Brings peace, joy, hope, and relationship with God

Through the process of tribulation, believers are transformed and through grace they receive the rich supply of Christ