The Mess Of Human-ness

I’m just not strong enough

Paul is an interesting character study. I used to really dislike Paul as a person when I would read scripture. In some ways he came off as a bit arrogant to me and to be honest there are times that he still does but then I read something like where we are right now and I realize that Paul knew he struggled with a bit of a superiority complex. It can be seen in his work before his Damascus road experience and it’s something that he knew he was going to fight.

In all my years of reading and studying Paul and thinking of him as kinda arrogant I missed a very important set of words found here in Second Corinthians and it turns all of that previous thinking on it’s head.

2 Corinthians 12:1 (CSB)

Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

The words that I somehow always skipped over are; “It is not profitable.”

When you look at this statement and then start to read the context of what’s being said, realizing that the whole chapter and verse thing was added later you come to find that Paul is doing something that he doesn’t want to do but is going to turn it on it’s head.

2 Corinthians 11:30 CSB

If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses.

Why would Paul say this. Because in Corinth it was necessary to prove your credentials, your bonafides as it were, the way you did this was to recite all the amazing things you’ve accomplished all the things that make you worth listening to. (the old testimony trap)

Now we get a different picture. Paul has already come to a realization. Boasting in his weaknesses is a good thing. Because that weakness is where the power of God works in us and through us.

I can do it myself

We all go through the times in life where we rely on our own power, our own gifts, the things that we just know how to do.

The thing is God have us those abilities and talents, using them can be natural, the outcome almost assured. It’s not wrong or bad to use the things that God has gifted us to do. In fact not putting our natural gifts to use would be wrong the problem is when we are good at somethihng, espeically when it comes naturally to us, it’s very easy to forget where the talent came from, we can end up doing it in our own power. Putting ourselves on autopilot and just coasting. Doing things out of a place of personal strength and ability isn’t wrong, but the glory and praise too easily comes to us.

Paul knows this and so he looks at the areas he is weakest and realizes that those are the places where God is working in him and through him the most. THose are the places where the power of God shines through the most. In spite of not because of.

Weakness Reminders

2 Corinthians 12:6–7 CSB

For if I want to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.

Paul was used to boasting and had reason too. When we are good at thigs, when we know things, when we understand things. When God uses us it’s easy to start to twist things up a bit.

(expound)

Not the answer I wanted

2 Corinthians 12:8–9 CSB

Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

What happens when God says no? Bear down on this a little bit.

But the answer I needed

Reading that last part of verse 9 again we see this

Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

If I want to fully experience what it is to live in communion with Christ I need to get over the need to be in charge, to be noticed, to be heard. It is only when I am willing to accept the no and lean into his grace, that I can and will experience the true power of Jesus fully working in me and through me.

Bragging Rights

So what do we brag about?

Here’s Pauls List.

2 Corinthians 12:10 CSB

So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

This list tells us so much. It tells us how to react to things. It tells us to stop having a martyrs complex when things get hard or when we feel slighted.

(expound)

This Week’s Challenge

Make a list of all the things you’re great at, all the things that you’re gifted at, all the accomplishment’s you’ve made by sheer force of will and determination. Sit with it for a while, examine who’s strength you did it in, who got the glory for it not just in words but in actuality.

On Thursday make a list of your perceived failures, of the hard things you’ve had to do. Look at how you were able to move through them. Who God the glory. who did you blame?

Now lean into Gods strength and let him show you what he can do with a willing broken velssel.

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