Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit (Great Lives from God's Word)

by Charles R. Swindoll

So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. But there were some, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord Jesus was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. Acts 11:19–21

“Then when he had come and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord” (vv. 23–24).

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up into Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 2 Corinthians 12:2–4 Paul continues: And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me—to keep me from exalting myself! 2 Corinthians 12:7

“I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me . . . for when I am weak, then I am strong” (vv. 9, 10).

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our af-fliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with

which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3–

He writes, “For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life” (1:8).

“Indeed we had the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead” (v. 9). “In my despairing of life,” says the apostle, “I learned to trust, and God showed me His remarkable power—the same power He used to raise His Son, Jesus, from the grave.”

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

2 Corinthians 4:8–11

But in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger . . . 2 Corinthians 6:4–5

Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if I’m insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without

number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 2 Corinthians 11:23–27

Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up into Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 2 Corinthians 12:1–4

And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh. 2 Corinthians 12:7

“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan to buffet me—to keep me from exalting myself!” He not only understood the nature of the thorn, he grasped the reason for it—to ensure a humble spirit.

“My grace is sufficient for you,

for power is perfected in weakness.”

“Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10).

I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size . . . I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. [Excerpted from The Message, 2 Corinthians 12: 9–10]

Paul wrote, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11–13).

Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

His character had been forged in the shadows.

God’s plan unfolds in ways that confounds human wisdom and sometimes defies common sense. But it is His plan.

Change my heart Oh God, make it ever true. Change my heart Oh God, may I be like You. You are the potter, I am the clay; Mold me and make me, this is what I pray. Change my heart Oh God, make it ever true.

Change my heart Oh God, may I be like you.1

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Thy compassion blot out transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, and done what is evil in Thy sight, so that Thou are justified when Thou dost speak, and blameless when Thou dost judge. . . . Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:1–4,10

“But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them’ ” (Acts 14:14–15).

Making us holy is the Spirit’s work. You be faithful to dispense the Gospel to the lost and grace to the saved. Then leave the results in the Lord’s hands.

He hung his battered

head in prayer, when suddenly, “The Lord stood at his side and He said, ‘Take courage; for I have solemnly witnessed . . . just as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause in Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also’ ” (23:11b).

Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride” (Psalm 46:1–3).

He refused to let his emotions take the lead. That’s lethal in any argument, especially in a courtroom.

Lord God, How thankful I am for Your Book, Your Word that lives and abides forever. Thank You for the way truth comes to life when we see it as print on the pages of the Bible.

Thank You for the power of your

Word that transforms lives and mends broken hearts and strengthens frightened hearts. May we, in the process of time, begin to feel more and more at home in Your Word, so that the life of another becomes ours and the truth another provides becomes a principle for us to live by. Thank You for coming to our rescue again and again by Your grace. And for those who are most afraid, I pray they will know Your peace and relief from anxiety as t...

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7–8).