Good Morning!
I’m back from a wonderful time with family and a wonderful time at the General Convention. (More on that later.)
Dwelling in guilt is not compatible with dwelling in jubilation. The Lord strengthen us to make this choice.
Much love in Christ,
Joy
#189 Overcoming Satan, Overcoming Guilt 2 Corinthians 12:7
The first step in the re-wiring process is to thank the Lord for the thorn.
“Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He has said to me, “My grace if sufficient for you , for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”
Paul asked 3 times that the thorn be removed.
But the answer from God was ‘My strength is enough. My grace is perfect in weakness. My grace is able to work completely in the midst of your weakness.’
Something more important than the thorn was removed. And that was the attitude toward the thorn.
“Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me.
“Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ; for when I may be weak, then I am powerful.” 2 Corinthians 12:10
That the Power of Christ may dwell upon me
Paul’s attitude was to exult or glory in his weaknesses because they were the means for the power of Christ to DWELL or remain effective in his life. Paul doesn’t say “that the power of Christ may visit my life for a little while!” Paul was not looking for a casual relationship with Christ. He was looking for a constant, deep relationship. So what if it means repeated experiences that challenge us. OF COARSE it means repeated experiences. They are blessed reminders of our need!
Therefore the power of Christ was worth far more than the inconvenience of the thorn. The thorn created a continual need for strength, and therefore a continual opportunity to abide in Christ, a continual opportunity for the power of Christ to DWELL in him. Paul was not just casually thankful for the thorn. He exulted in it. Webster defines exult “to rejoice greatly and jubilantly.” !!!
He took pleasure (#2106: to think well of, approve) in weaknesses: (#769 astheneia: feebleness of body or mind, moral frailty); He approved and fully accepted his limitations.
In insults (#5196 hubris: insolence [presumptuous and abrasive in speech or manner; impudent: marked by rude behavior or impertinent disrespect]); He approved of and fully accepted the brazen and unrestrained speech and rudeness of others.
In necessities (#318 ananke: Vines: a necessity, imposed whether by external circumstances, or inward pressure); He approved of and fully accepted when circumstances created hardship and challenge beyond his control.
In persecutions (#1375: diagmos: to put to flight, drive away; to pursue); He approved of and fully accepted when his life and reputation were pursued with destructive intent.
In straits (#4730 stenochoria: narrowness of room; from #4729to hem in closely); He approved of and fully accepted the experience of pressure, stress and feeling trapped.
He approved and welcomed whatever experience would make him stronger in Christ.
It seems to me that Paul no longer experienced his thorn as a messenger of Satan to buffet him. Instead he chose to rejoice with jubilation in his personal relationship with God and Christ and the process of spiritual growth regardless of the means, whatever it took.
His power can be complete in us when we rejoice jubilantly with gratitude for every thorn and challenge, when we trust the intention of God and Christ for our highest good and growth, when we see every challenge as opportunity, and when we USE every challenge as opportunity.
I’m back from a wonderful time with family and a wonderful time at the General Convention. (More on that later.)
Dwelling in guilt is not compatible with dwelling in jubilation. The Lord strengthen us to make this choice.
Much love in Christ,
Joy
#189 Overcoming Satan, Overcoming Guilt 2 Corinthians 12:7
The first step in the re-wiring process is to thank the Lord for the thorn.
“Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He has said to me, “My grace if sufficient for you , for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”
Paul asked 3 times that the thorn be removed.
But the answer from God was ‘My strength is enough. My grace is perfect in weakness. My grace is able to work completely in the midst of your weakness.’
Something more important than the thorn was removed. And that was the attitude toward the thorn.
“Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me.
“Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ; for when I may be weak, then I am powerful.” 2 Corinthians 12:10
That the Power of Christ may dwell upon me
Paul’s attitude was to exult or glory in his weaknesses because they were the means for the power of Christ to DWELL or remain effective in his life. Paul doesn’t say “that the power of Christ may visit my life for a little while!” Paul was not looking for a casual relationship with Christ. He was looking for a constant, deep relationship. So what if it means repeated experiences that challenge us. OF COARSE it means repeated experiences. They are blessed reminders of our need!
Therefore the power of Christ was worth far more than the inconvenience of the thorn. The thorn created a continual need for strength, and therefore a continual opportunity to abide in Christ, a continual opportunity for the power of Christ to DWELL in him. Paul was not just casually thankful for the thorn. He exulted in it. Webster defines exult “to rejoice greatly and jubilantly.” !!!
He took pleasure (#2106: to think well of, approve) in weaknesses: (#769 astheneia: feebleness of body or mind, moral frailty); He approved and fully accepted his limitations.
In insults (#5196 hubris: insolence [presumptuous and abrasive in speech or manner; impudent: marked by rude behavior or impertinent disrespect]); He approved of and fully accepted the brazen and unrestrained speech and rudeness of others.
In necessities (#318 ananke: Vines: a necessity, imposed whether by external circumstances, or inward pressure); He approved of and fully accepted when circumstances created hardship and challenge beyond his control.
In persecutions (#1375: diagmos: to put to flight, drive away; to pursue); He approved of and fully accepted when his life and reputation were pursued with destructive intent.
In straits (#4730 stenochoria: narrowness of room; from #4729to hem in closely); He approved of and fully accepted the experience of pressure, stress and feeling trapped.
He approved and welcomed whatever experience would make him stronger in Christ.
It seems to me that Paul no longer experienced his thorn as a messenger of Satan to buffet him. Instead he chose to rejoice with jubilation in his personal relationship with God and Christ and the process of spiritual growth regardless of the means, whatever it took.
His power can be complete in us when we rejoice jubilantly with gratitude for every thorn and challenge, when we trust the intention of God and Christ for our highest good and growth, when we see every challenge as opportunity, and when we USE every challenge as opportunity.
