Monday, September 24, 2012

Going Deeper for the week of September 23, 2012

Is it better that we are weak or that we are strong?

This seems a particularly relevant question with respect to the violence that continues to rock the world.   For example, how should Christians respond to militant muslims intent on killing them?  I believe the answer will be different for Christians than it will for sovereign nations, and yet it is the Christians who have the only answer that promises to bring true, lasting peace.

(Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10)

The apostle Paul understood what it was like to be attacked.  He was being insulted, downgraded, and unfairly labeled by other teachers in Corinth who felt themselves to be superior to Paul.  And so Paul responds by doing a little boasting himself, but his boasting is different.  He chooses not to boast about his great accomplishments (how many churches he planted, or how many people had come to know the Lord because of his ministry), but instead he chooses to boast about his weaknesses (verse 5).

Why?   What strength can possibly be found in weakness?

Paul had received the answer through divine revelation (verse 9), "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Paul boasts about his weaknesses because he knows that when he is weak, then God's power works through him to make him truly strong.

And so that is why Paul chooses to boast only in his weaknesses.  (verse 10)  "For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Do you agree with Paul?  Can you give examples of when God's power rested on you in your weakness?  Are there other scripture passages, which might bring further light into this conversation?
Let's discuss!

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