In this episode of Witnessing Christ from the New Testament, Jon and Molly discuss 2 Corinthians 8–13.

This podcast episode covers the following:

2 Corinthians 8–13

• Excel in the grace of giving
• An "out of this world" witnessing weapon
• What it means to belong to Christ
• Strength in weakness

Key concepts in this episode include: 

• The directional nature of grace
• Happiness v. joy
• God's generosity: "his indescribable gift"
• Differences matter
  • Another Jesus
  • Different Spirit
  • Different gospel
• God's intent in hardship

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Share this conversation starter with your LDS friend:

Have you ever thought about hardship as a blessing from God?  James 1 says to consider trial "pure joy." That concept seems so counterintuitive. I can't imagine anyone praying to fall on hard times.  

I've always considered the goal was just to make me stronger. But I was struck recently when I read about Paul's thorn in the flesh in 2 Corinthians 12. It gave me a whole new perspective. He starts out, "to keep me from becoming conceited..."  (12:7). It's clear it's not about me at all. 

Then, quoting Jesus, Paul says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (12:9). He doesn't say our power becomes greater. He says his power shines brightest in our weakness. The more we acknowledge our weaknesses, the more we will come to rely on God's power, the source of true strength. 

This has got me thinking about hardship in a whole new way. Instead of seeing a harsh god who presses people down with hardship, I've come to see a loving God who invites me to seek refuge in him and lean on his strength. Doesn't that change the way we can, with James, see trials as "pure joy?"