“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.”
(1 Corinthians 8:1-7).
As Paul writes to the church in Corinth about the grace and generosity that got ahold of the Macedonian churches; it is clear that it was not something that got a hold of churches in Macedonia, rather, it was someone that had got ahold of them
That someone was the triune God Himself, through the Holy Spirit.
In times like then (persecution and poverty) and in times like now (fear and bewilderment), the church must look the same: full of the fruit of the Spirit of the one who made Himself impoverished in order for them to be rich; as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich”.
This is how you know the Macedonian churches belonged to God: They looked like His Son on the cross as He gave up His life with the deepest joy.
Love is what came out of the Macedonian Churches, and not in word, but in Christ exalting affection, portrayed in loving joyous generosity. We get to look like that today, especially in days like we are living in.
God can smell the aroma of Christ coming off of us when our lives are filled with the love of Christ in this way; Paul writes in Ephesians 5:1-2, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”.
We imitate God and show that we belong to Christ in this world as we lay down our lives and livelihood for the sake of Christ blood bought family; especially in a world that is ready to descend into a evolutionary look-out-for-self chaos (Covid craziness, rioting etc.)
The church gets to look different during these days; the church gets to be associated with Jesus Christ. What an eternal privilege we have in Him.The church gets to live lives which echo into eternity by our proclamation of the one who is coming, as well as continually disowning ourselves for the sake of His name among the nations.
What a privilege it is to be know Christ and be known by Him. He will call us by name when we see Him, may our lives be filled with what is pleasing to Him. Church do not let your hearts be troubled in these times, our King is so worthy to be trusted.
Prayer: Thank God for Jesus, and thank God for the work He is doing among His people, as he prepares us to see Him on that great and awesome day.
Truly there is no one like Him
FaithisfoundinChrist 
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