2 Corinthians 12
September Memory Verse: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
Read: 2 Corinthians 12
In this chapter, Paul continues boasting about his weaknesses. Paul was an accomplished guy, and we’re still talking about him today, so he certainly had all sorts of stuff to brag about himself. To keep from becoming conceited, he was given a thorn in his flesh. Paul begged God on multiple occasions to remove it, but the answer was ‘no’. I’m sure he was pretty bummed about that. But as demonstrated here, God does not always answer our prayers in the way we want Him to. However, we can have confidence that God is able to see what we cannot, and always chooses the answer that brings Him the most glory. What we think is best (from our perspective) may not be truly best in God’s eternal plan. Nevertheless, God promises His grace to sustain us.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Our weaknesses, and the trials we go through, do not have to define us. Instead, seek to use them as an opportunity to grow, glorifying God in the process. Boast in your weaknesses in order to access the power of Christ. Praising God and speaking of Christ’s sufficiency gives us power to endure trials.
Paul concludes this chapter explaining his true concern and love for the Corinthian people. He is planning to visit them again and clarifies that he doesn’t want anything from them. All he wants is them! His motive is simply true love for the people. He desires the best for them, and therefore doesn’t want them to get caught up in habitual sin that does not point to Christ. Instead, he wants to see them truly know and love Jesus.
What are your takeaways from this passage today?
Is there a “thorn” in your life that is a constant reminder? Even though painful to you, how can that be leveraged to bring glory to God?
If you are honest, what is your motive with people at work or in your neighborhood? Do you want something from them? Or are you seeking to build a relationship with them and also share the love of Christ that has changed your life?
By: Thomas Carter
Read: 2 Corinthians 12
In this chapter, Paul continues boasting about his weaknesses. Paul was an accomplished guy, and we’re still talking about him today, so he certainly had all sorts of stuff to brag about himself. To keep from becoming conceited, he was given a thorn in his flesh. Paul begged God on multiple occasions to remove it, but the answer was ‘no’. I’m sure he was pretty bummed about that. But as demonstrated here, God does not always answer our prayers in the way we want Him to. However, we can have confidence that God is able to see what we cannot, and always chooses the answer that brings Him the most glory. What we think is best (from our perspective) may not be truly best in God’s eternal plan. Nevertheless, God promises His grace to sustain us.
This thorn in Paul’s flesh also served as a reminder to him of his weaknesses. And it is through weakness that God’s power is made most evident. I am reminded here of James 1:2-4.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Our weaknesses, and the trials we go through, do not have to define us. Instead, seek to use them as an opportunity to grow, glorifying God in the process. Boast in your weaknesses in order to access the power of Christ. Praising God and speaking of Christ’s sufficiency gives us power to endure trials.
Paul concludes this chapter explaining his true concern and love for the Corinthian people. He is planning to visit them again and clarifies that he doesn’t want anything from them. All he wants is them! His motive is simply true love for the people. He desires the best for them, and therefore doesn’t want them to get caught up in habitual sin that does not point to Christ. Instead, he wants to see them truly know and love Jesus.
What are your takeaways from this passage today?
Is there a “thorn” in your life that is a constant reminder? Even though painful to you, how can that be leveraged to bring glory to God?
If you are honest, what is your motive with people at work or in your neighborhood? Do you want something from them? Or are you seeking to build a relationship with them and also share the love of Christ that has changed your life?
By: Thomas Carter
2 Comments
Good word today Thomas!
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
If you grew up in church you no doubt learned Jesus Loves Me. As I grew in my faith and read the letters of Paul to the churches, it occurred to me it's not just little ones who are weak. All of us have weaknesses and some kind of "thorn in the flesh". Are we allowing God to be glorified in our weaknesses like Paul? That is our challenge. Thank you Thomas for reminding us that our human weaknesses can, and should, be used to point people to Jesus.
This was great food for thought! Thank you!!!