"Power Made in Weakness"

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9 ESV)

There are no “super Christians.” Those who claim “signs and wonders” as their own are false in their teachings. One of the things that makes me very uncomfortable is when I hear someone say, “God spoke to me and said…” Our intermediary between the Father is Jesus Christ. We have a closed canon, and the God of the Old Testament no longer needs to speak audibly to His children. It is almost a resurgence of Gnosticism, the idea of a second blessing, special knowledge or power. It was false in the second and third centuries, and it is false now.

Just as Paul wrote, our power is made perfect through our weakness. Have you ever noticed how God uses broken people? In the boat on the sea of Galilee, after almost sinking the boat with an overflowing catch of fish, what did Peter say? “But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’”(Luke 5:8). When Nathan confronted David in his sins with Bathsheba, and David wrote Psalm 51, what did David say? “Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit” (vv11-12).

God will remind us of our brokenness as well to keep us humble. Do you see the sin video replaying in your head as David did? Remember when he said, “My transgressions are ever before me”? That is what he meant; you do not forget your sins. We should not forget our sins lest we forget our brokenness. I never want to forget the pit from which Jesus snatched me.

Satan will harass you, often. The more you serve God the greater the harassment. Bouts of self-doubt, the doubt of others. He will cause pain in your life. Strike you with bouts surrounding the pride of life. Above all, we must rely on God and be humble because, without God, we can achieve nothing. I take no credit for anything in my life since Christ called me. My writings, my words, my counsel—I take no credit because all of this comes from God. I never had it before Christ lived in me, so how could I claim it as my own? I would be a liar if I did.

We will all carry a thorn, just as we carry a cross. It is necessary. Christ said, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance”(Luke 5:32). This is a call that Christ passed on to the church—a call to make disciples and spread the gospel to the nations. The righteous now know Christ. They have been made righteous by grace through faith in Christ. It is the sinner who is lost that needs Christ.

The magnitude of God’s grace is often overlooked. His grace enables change, repentance, forgiveness, and salvation. His grace provides for our edification and sanctification. By His grace, our weaknesses are used to make us strong. His grace makes sure we remain humble. It is by God’s grace that He is able to use a sinner as a means of salvation for others. God’s grace permits us to be used in the service of others. It allows us to love unconditionally as Christ did. Without the grace of God, truly, nothing would be accomplished.

Do you understand the grace of God? Have you experienced His peace and His mercy? Have you accepted, embraced your weakness and turned to Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? Have you repented your sins, turning from them with a change of heart and mind?

If you have not done so, now is the time, for a time will soon come when it will be too late. Call on the healing power of Christ and find eternal life in his forgiveness.

Grace and Peace.