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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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