Portraits of Grace

John MacArthur: This is John MacArthur, welcoming you to Portraits of Grace. What do you do when you get a headache?

Guest (Male): Well, if you're like most, you'll take one of many pain relievers to get rid of it.

May I suggest to you that that is our society in microcosm? People depend on science and technology to provide painless and instant solutions to almost every problem. They have no idea about what it means to endure.

That wasn't how the Apostle Paul lived. He endured pain and trials throughout his life because he knew the physical was far less important and lasting than the spiritual.

So how can you follow Paul's example? By setting your mind on the things above, not on things that are on the earth. You need to learn to endure because it's the problems that produce the spiritual growth.

So become a portrait of grace by allowing the trials and sufferings the Lord brings to teach you obedience and faith and trust and look away from yourself and experience spiritual growth.