S4-104 NOT FRUSTRATING THE GRACE OF GOD

Paul was willing to suffer as Jesus had, even the basic comforts of life. No sacrifice was too excessive to be made, for his desire was to know Jesus and "the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;f by ANYmeans I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead" (Philippians 3:10-11). "Any means" has grave consequences. It could mean losing your family, a job, a thorn in the flesh, cancer, or imprisonment. Never quote "by any means" flippantly, for the means God may use to save could be similar to how he finalized Stephen's life. Hence, Paul proclaimed, "I do not FRUSTRATE the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ died in vain" (Galatians 2:21).