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Friday, May 16,
2008
A Thorny Issue
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should
be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there
was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me,
lest I should be exalted above measure. (8) For this thing I besought the
Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he said unto me, My
grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power
of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,
in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's
sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (KJV)
It is beneficial to the Church when one
can accurately share their experiences with the Lord for the benefit of the
body and not just a testimony to make themselves look special. A true man
of God will point the people to the Lord and His work, and not toward
mankind and what they claim they are doing for God. Paul was able to
accurately describe his own personal experiences and insights with the
people because it was done in humility and love, and not to build up his
own following. Some think just because they have had a personal experience
with the Lord that they are something special, and what was based on grace
is now of works, or so they think. Some people hear the Lord through other
people that God chose to speak through and thus base their salvation on the
person or denomination they belong to, rather than realizing it is God that
was personally reaching out to them. And then we have those that think just
because they spoke a word that brought life to someone or even led to their
conversion it was their doing, thus causing them to think that in order to
hear the Lord they have to listen to them. It’s the grace of God that
allowed you to have access to His kingdom in the first place; and only His
grace that will keep you there. So the more you realize this, the better
relationship you will establish with the Father.
Galatians 1:13-16 For ye have heard of my
conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I
persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: (14) And profited in the Jews'
religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly
zealous of the traditions of my fathers. (15) But when it pleased God, who
separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, (16) To
reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen;
immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: (KJV)
Paul realized for himself that when he
tried to establish a relationship with the Father based on his own works
and zeal, what he thought was profitable, was actually a hindrance to the
Lord’s plan of salvation. Once he realized that his calling was of grace
and not of works then he was able to allow the Lord to make the changes
necessary in order to walk with Him. Is your walk today based in Spirit and
in truth or are you still holding to traditions that actually draw one away
from the Lord rather than closer? Is it God’s plan of salvation still or
have you come up with an alternate plan or route that you think will draw
you closer?
Acts 9:3-6 And as he journeyed, he came
near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from
heaven: (4) And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him,
Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (5) And he said, Who art thou, Lord?
And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to
kick against the pricks. (6) And he trembling and astonished said, Lord,
what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go
into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (KJV)
Acts 9:5
[It
is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.] . This is a proverbial
expression, which exists, not only in substance, but even in so many words,
both in the Greek and Latin writers. Kentron (grk 2759), signifies an ox goad, a piece
of pointed iron stuck in the end of a stick, with which the ox is urged on
when drawing the plow. The origin of the proverb seems to have been this:
sometimes it happens that a restive or stubborn ox kicks back against the
goad, and thus wounds himself more deeply: hence, it has become a proverb
to signify the fruitlessness and absurdity of rebelling against lawful
authority, and the getting into greater difficulties by endeavouring to
avoid trifling sufferings. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)
Maybe that thorn in your flesh, the thing
or area in your own walk that keeps you from drawing closer to the Lord, is
just your own stubbornness and ideas; things you think will be pleasing to
God. You know, if you left the ox on their own they wouldn’t plow a very
straight path but rather end up doing more harm than good, thus why they
need someone to keep them in line. You may not always like the path the
Lord is leading you on, but rather than fuss and rebel it is simple
obedience that is pleasing in His sight. Sometimes one becomes unequally
yoked with unbelievers and the world’s way of thinking, and rather than
working in the field they end up off course and confused. Is it the grace
of God through faith that is guiding you or are you zealous and set in your
own ways on how things should be done and end up kicking against the goad
yourself; the more frustrated you become the harder you kick? I know for
myself when I truly look honestly at some of the things I have done or ways
I thought would be pleasing to the Lord, I cringe at how foolish my
thinking was at the time and yet humbled that I am still a part of His
inheritance despite myself. Actually sometimes when I have thought back on
some things I am actually embarrassed to think that my right standing with
God had anything to do with my own strength or abilities, which can at
times prick the heart and be a healthy reminder of our own weaknesses. So I
can understand that when Paul looked back on some of the things he did, and
then was willing to share those experiences, it could have easily been
described as a thorn in the flesh and yet a reminder of how weak one is
when left to their own devices. Not that we spend our time in the past, but
sometimes it can be a healthy reminder, or like the Lord described
humility, coming to Him as a child.
Titus 3:1-7 Put them in mind to be
subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to
every good work, (2) To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but
gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. (3) For we ourselves also were
sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and
pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. (4)
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man
appeared, (5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and
renewing of the Holy Ghost; (6) Which he shed on us abundantly through
Jesus Christ our Saviour; (7) That being justified by his grace, we should
be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (KJV)
Today can be described as a bit of a
reminder of where we came from and how we got to this point in our walk. It
is good to keep in mind what your source of strength truly is, and that
your salvation has never been nor ever will be based on your works, but
according to a plan that was developed for you by a loving merciful God of
grace that allowed us to be partakers of His divine nature by the perfect
sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ our savior.
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