Love Is Expensive

Scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

There is a price to be paid for our salvation. Fortunately, that price has already been paid. Colossians 2:13-14, “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” However, the work is not done. Although the price of salvation was paid, there is a price to be paid to purchase the way to obtain salvation. The price is the sacrifice we make, so that others may hear the gospel. Paul tells us that the price he paid was the thorn in the flesh, which Christ used to work powerfully among lost souls and the spiritually weak. The sacrifices we make in totally surrendering ourselves to the Lord is the price to pay to have the Holy Spirit resting on us.

Let’s look at the points Paul makes in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. First, he says, “to keep me from exalting myself.” The restraint Paul speaks of – “to keep me from” – is a restraint to prevent him from engaging in evil or, as he saw it, the pride of arrogance – “exalting himself.” (Psalm 19:13, “Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.”) To keep from becoming arrogant, taking glory away from the Lord or taking credit for the fruit of ministry labor, the Lord will lay upon us certain restraints. It is the only way to “let them not rule over me.”

The Lord’s discipline is given to shape and train us into obedient servants fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit, so we can be used by Him for the work of the kingdom of heaven. Hebrews 12:6, “FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” In that discipline, the Lord prevented Paul’s prayer from being answered because it would lead him to the sin of arrogance (see the Lord’s prayer – “lead us not into temptation”). The Lord, not willing to inflict affliction (Lamentations 3:33), disciplines us to lead us to perfection.

When approaching affliction, we must have an eternal perspective. An eternal perspective means that we understand our affliction is for a greater purpose, including bringing souls to Christ and preparing our souls for eternal communion with the Lord. (Job 11:16, “For you would forget your trouble, As waters that have passed by, you would remember it.” Isaiah 43:1b-2, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.”) Having an eternal perspective, our affliction is but for a moment. The Lord will deliver, and our affliction secures an eternal home. Then, it will be but a distant memory.

In the meantime, we have the grace we need to endure our affliction and face tribulation. (Ephesians 4:7, “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”) To grace, add strength. The Lord undergirds us with strength to meet the tasks and tests set before us. (Isaiah 40:31 “Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”) His grace and strength are enough.

Our highest and best use is for the work of the kingdom of heaven. Ephesians 5:1-2, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” It is with great sacrifice that we lay down our desires in surrender to the Lord, so that we can carry out His will. (Mark 14:36, “And He was saying, ‘Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.’”) However, it is the price of our sacrifices – what we give up – that purchases the way for others to come to fullness in Christ. (2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”)

John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” The Lord may not be calling you to lay down your life, but He is calling you to lay down something. Whatever it is you lay down will be the price paid to purchase the way for others.

In the midst of our sacrifice and surrender in obedience to God’s will, we are filled with the Holy Spirit who rests upon us. (Acts 10:38 “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”) It is the Holy Spirit who empowers us to lay down our lives and endure trial to purchase the way for others to come to fullness in Christ.

Through the Holy Spirit, having an eternal perspective and keeping in view the souls won for Christ by the price paid through our sacrifice, we can rejoice. Habakuk 3:17-18, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”