2nd Corinthians 12:1-12
Can you imagine having the apostle Paul in your community group? Let’s say it was, share your personal story with the group night. One after another, each person in the group shares details of their faith journey. Finally, it’s Paul’s turn to share, and he begins with his Damascus road experience when he was blinded while en-route with friends, heard God’s voice, received a mission from Yahweh and was radically changed forever! Now imagine that you are next in the group to share your story. It’s possible that you may be led to believe that your story is not nearly as powerful, or life impacting, but that’s simply not true. What is true is that every person who has been made new by the transforming power of the gospel has a story worth sharing and a message worth hearing, Every individual faith story brings honor and glory to God.
As we mature and grow in our knowledge of God through the study and application of His Word, by communing with Him in prayer, and through times in His Presence, we will experience God in a deeper and more profound way. While this is both a privilege and an honor, it is not a platform for spiritual pride, nor is it an opportunity to brag. The light of the gospel actually shines the brightest in fragile jars of clay, (see 2nd Corinthians 4:7), referring to people who recognize their complete dependence on God to do anything and everything.
Paul recognized this truth. As he was speaking with his friends and fellow believers from the church in Corinth, he shared that he had indeed encountered amazing, life changing experiences with God that were truly worth boasting about. At the same time, Paul also realized that boasting about his spiritual experiences would only serve in elevating his status as an apostle, rather than bringing glory to the God he served. Paul was transparent in sharing that the powerful ministry platform that was entrusted to him by God, could easily become a breeding ground for spiritual pride, and because of this he chose to boast only in his weaknesses.
“That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,”
2 Corinthians 12:5-6 NLT
Although Paul does not reveal the specifics regarding his weaknesses, he is candid in revealing that his frailties feel to him as a thorn in his flesh. Paul humbly shares that although he has prayed to God several times to remove his thorns, God for reasons of His own, has chosen not to answer his prayers. In total trust in God’s greater plan and higher ways, Paul acknowledges that the thorns in his life are not meant to punish, but rather to protect him from becoming proud. It is through this acknowledgement that Paul fully recognizes that God’s power was most significantly experienced, demonstrated and made visible through his personal weaknesses.
“…So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NLT
I have been challenged and inspired through today’s reading. As I reflect upon Paul’s words, I am reminded of how easy falling into the trap of spiritual pride can be, believing the lie that I am my own source, and my success and accomplishments are to my credit. Nothing could be further from the truth! In reality, I am only as strong and effective as I recognize my need to depend upon Christ and remain yielded to His Spirit that works through me to accomplish His purposes.
Prayer:
Father God, I am grateful for the daily encouragement and truth I receive through your timeless and eternal Word. I thank you for the sober reminder that you shine the brightest through people who live in complete dependence on you, recognizing you as their source. Help me to remember that fruitful living in this world is only accomplished by submitting and committing every part of my life to you. I am grateful for the supernatural strength that I receive from your Holy Spirit that empowers me to live for you and be used by you. You are a gracious God and a loving Father. Thank you for taking my weaknesses and transforming them to strengths. May my heart, mind and spirit boast only in you today and every day,
Amen.
Praise:
How deep the Father’s Love for Us
(verse three)
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Chris
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
By Stuart Townend
