Scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Message first preached in Port Salerno, Florida
by R. Joseph Ritter, Jr.
March 30, 2014
This is a passage of Scripture over which many Christians and pastors have struggled because focus has been placed on the “thorn.” Much speculation, conjecture and misleading of thoughts has been had on the object of the thorn, including theories that are borderline heretical.
The thorn, however, is not the centerpiece of the passage. Charles Spurgeon is quoted as saying, “I take my text and make a beeline to the cross,” or words to that effect. And this is exactly what Paul does here.
First, it is interesting to note that Paul says he implored God (or prayed) three times that the thorn would be removed. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” Why, then, does the record reflect Paul having implored God only three times?
The answer would seem to be thus – Paul accepted the thorn and God’s grace as his reality. Paul did not refuse to accept the thorn as reality or mistrust God by believing that grace would not be enough. Paul received word from the Lord that His grace was sufficient, and Paul accepted the grace as the complete answer.
It would seem that we can be caught up in praying over something which bothers us to the point of missing the lesson God would have us to learn and missing the very tools God would give us to overcome. Paul prayed, God answered, and Paul accepted it as complete. This does not mean Paul quit praying. No, in fact I would believe that Paul very much continued to pray over the matter, but the focus of his prayer was not on removing the thorn. Rather, his prayer was for strength to accept God’s grace as sufficient.
The implications of this lesson are vitally important in our own lives.
The world wants to boast of its accomplishments, power and wealth. Countries are now competing for the title of world’s tallest building. As soon as one country completes the new tallest building, another country already has plans laid to go even higher. Here we have a record that Paul boasted in his weakness. The thorn was a point of weakness in his life and created a place of vulnerability. While he was enjoying special time with God in receiving revelations, which Paul delivered to the churches, God saw fit to knock him down to size and remind Paul that he was only human.
Could it be that spending too much time with the Lord is detrimental to us? It certainly does make sense that we can spend so much time enjoying the Lord that we forget to be about His plans for the world and forget to apply His strength to our lives. We can put so much effort into being holy that we overlook our witness in the world.
Not only did Paul have a weakness, he was glad about it and boasted in it. Very few people would ever be glad with their weaknesses and boast about them. In fact, the world is ready to take advantage of another’s weakness and boasting only makes you a more obvious target.
Once again, we can get caught up with the true meaning and focus of the passage. Some people intentionally debase themselves to become weak and celebrate it. Last time I checked, I did not need any help creating more weak areas in my life.
The focus of this passage is not on Paul at all. Rather, the focus is squarely on Christ and what He does and can do in our lives. Paul is simply saying that in our weak areas Christ is strong, so long as we rely on His grace. It does not mean that we should create as many weak areas as we can, so that we can amass more and more of Christ’s power. No, I believe this would be tempting God or at least baiting Him to do something beyond the scope of the original intent. Once again, we can get caught up in amassing Christ’s power unto ourselves that we dam up the channel through which His power flows, that being our own lives in witness to the world.
Pau closes this passage with a look at contentment and areas of weakness which come upon us that do not originate with anything we choose for ourselves. The list is broad but most likely incomplete and not intended to be exhaustive. The simple point of it is to highlight the many areas in which we are weak that make for opportunities Christ can use to demonstrate His power through us to the world.
Christ’s power can certainly be made real to us through our circumstances and help us navigate and cross the rough patches of life. These are also opportunities for us to be a reflection of Christ’s power into the world, so that the world can see Christ in action through us.
Once again, contentment should not be viewed as being focused on weakness, as in inferring that Paul was content with his weaknesses. Paul was content with the power of Christ resting upon him, receiving whatever his lot would be that came from resting in Christ’s power, and if it meant that he had to endure weakness to have the power of Christ manifested in himself, then he was content with weakness. In other words, Paul is saying that he is content with what Christ gave him and his resulting lot in life.
The question we have to answer today is this – is God enough? Is God enough when I am hurting? When I am lonely? When my spouse doesn’t do what I think he/she should? Is God enough when my children lose their way? Is God enough when I lose someone close to me? Is God enough although my income is little or when I lose my job? Is God enough when I’m not sure of the next step? Is God enough in the time of crisis?
Can God fill the void that will be left if I let go of … cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, spending, gambling, lust, envy, pride? What is troubling you? Insert it here ____________ and then seek God to see if He will be enough to fill the void if you let go and choose to follow Him.
When faced with this question, we must answer in the affirmative. To say no would mean rejecting God. To say yes is one of the hardest things I believe we often face because it means letting go of what is comfortable and letting go of control over our circumstances.
The reason we are so easily caught up with sin is that the lie is easy to believe. It is easy to want the instant reward and rush of instant pleasure. In that moment, however, we are blinded to the consequences that will one day result. As long as we are comfortable and in control, we can’t see what may be coming down the road. Letting go does not mean we lose control of today, it means we gain control over tomorrow.
Let God be enough to you today. It will be the best decision you’ve ever made.
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