Conscious of Grace

2 Corinthians 8:1

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

Many talk about living under grace. What they mean is that we are no longer under the law but under grace. Sadly, many have perverted this truth by saying that because we are under grace, there are no more consequences to sin. However, just because our sins have been paid for does not mean we will not suffer consequences for our sins. For instance, tell the police officer who pulled you over for speeding that you are under grace. The truth is, just because you are under grace does not give you the right to sin. There are still consequences to sin even though we are under grace.

However, Paul says to the believers, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia. The word wit means to be conscious of. In other words, Paul was saying to be conscious of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia. He was saying, I want you to stop and take notice of this grace that God gave to this church.

What is this grace? Firstly, the grace of God was found in a great trial of affliction. It says in verse 2, How that in a great trial of affliction…. This grace that we are to be conscious of is found in trials. The grace of God does not mean that we will never face hard times. Likewise, the grace of God does not mean that I can live however I want to live. God makes it clear that His grace enables us to endure great trials of affliction.

Secondly, this grace of God that we are to be conscious of is found in deep poverty. Notice again in verse 2, and their deep poverty. In other words, for these believers in Macedonia to enjoy the grace of God, God allowed them to live in deep poverty. Does this mean that every person who is to be conscious of the grace of God must live in deep poverty? No, but their actions while living in deep poverty are what we are to take notice of.

This grace of God that we are to be conscious of is this: it is having joy in affliction, and giving toward the ministry in deep poverty. This is not the grace that many want to talk about. Many want to think that we don't have to give to the church, but we are commanded to be conscious of giving, even when we are living in deep poverty. We are to be conscious of being joyful in the deep trials of our afflictions.

Paul is saying is that God gives us the grace to do these things. God gives us the grace to be joyful in the time of affliction. You may think that you cannot live a joyful life in hard times, but God's grace is what helps you to be joyful in the great trails of affliction. Likewise, God’s grace moves people to give, even though they live in poverty. You can say that you can't afford to give, but what you are saying is that you are not being conscious of God's grace. God's grace will cause you to give, even if you are living in deep poverty.

The key to this is the order in which God gives us this grace. If you won’t be joyful in great affliction, you won't give in poverty. Being joyful despite the great affliction that you face is what keeps you in love with God, resulting in giving despite your poverty. You give financially in tithes because of a heart that loves God, which is a result of having joy in the greatest trials of affliction. It all comes down to your trust in God’s grace, which gives joy in great affliction, and moves you to give despite your financial condition.