Wesley’s Blog Journal January 28, 2008 Thorn in the Flesh – The Past 2 Corinthians 12:5-10 v. 5 – Of such a one will I glory yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.v. 6 – For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. v. 7 – And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet (beat) me, lest I should be exalted above measure.v. 8 – For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.v. 9 – and He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength (power) is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (weaknesses), that the power of Christ may rest upon me. v. 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. Ok, you’re right. No one knows exactly what this “thorn in the flesh” really is and I am just speculating. For all I know, it could have been a huge splinter that he couldn’t get out of his skin J. But just hear me out for a second. This is actually the beauty of what the Holy Spirit wrote through this man of God. Everyone at some point in their life experiences a thorn in the flesh and they come in all different messages (always a messenger from satan). What is awesome is how when we learn from God (Matthew 11:28-30) and the Power of God destroys what this “thorn in the flesh” originally wanted to accomplish. So this is the purpose of this blog; too speak on the “thorn in the flesh” that I will now glory in because Christ’s Power is resting upon me. The “thorn in the flesh” for me is the past. Before his name was Paul, it was Saul. Saul was a threatening character who was zealous about persecuting people of God. Saul was apart of the stoning of one of the early church leaders (Acts 8:54-60) and he went into every house, casting people into prison that believed in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:1-4). Well, on his way to persecuting more Christians, he became one and now commissioned to preach the Gospel he once persecuted others for believing. Everyone knew his reputation. It was because of him, that the church was scattered abroad the region out of fear. Acts 9: 26 v. 26 – And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed (tried) to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. When God changed your life, were there some that didn’t believe? I know I have felt that way after making mistakes in my Christian walk and when I made the decision to change, I have had people that have treated me based upon my past. Have you? Maybe it was just the shame of the bad decision that made you shun away from people. Whatever the case may be, we have all been judged based upon our past at least once in our life. Encourage yourself though. Romans 3:3-4 v. 3 – For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith (faithfulness) of God without affect?v. 4 – God forbid: yea, let God be true (found true), but every man a liar; as it is written, that thou mightest be justified in they sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. Guess who God used to write that? Paul. This Sunday, many people made decisions to forget their past, to be delivered. If someone doesn’t believes or doubt, who cares. God is faithful and He is responsible for the deliverance. God will begin to use you to help others come out of the same situations you were once in. Throughout Paul’s life, God used him mightily to reach people for Christ. Many Christians that God used Paul to save, would often question his spiritual authority and authenticity. He was often persecuted and thrown in jail. Throughout the epistles that God used Paul to write, you will find many afflictions that Paul experienced but he understood God’s Power (Romans 8:28-39). Paul overcame by the Spirit of God (Romans 7 – 8:14; Galatians 5: 16-26). He motivated and matured by the Love of God (1 Corinthians 13). He understood humility (Philippians 2:3-11). And he learned this one thing: Philippians 3:8-14 v. 8 – Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,v. 9 – And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: v.10 – That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings being made confirmable unto His death; v.11 – If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.v.12 – Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. v.13 – Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, v. 14 – I press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The world makes decisions solely based upon the past. They say it’s the biggest indicator of what someone will do in the future. Think about it. Your credit score is based upon your track record and if you don’t have any credit (aka the past) you are considered a risk. Why? Because they have no indication of what you may do. Facts are a collection of data from the past. One definition of facts are, “something known to exist or to have happened.” How does the world knows something exist or has happened? They want proof. Proof is gathered from the past. Is this how a Christian lives? No. The Just shall Live by Faith! What is faith? The substance or realization of things hoped for, the evidence or conviction of things not seen. Wow! As Christians or Believers, we have a conviction or belief in something tangible taking place in the future without any evidence of it existing. This is totally opposite from the world (Sounds like some divorce is in order J) Why did I say all this? I’m glad you asked. Our Faith is based upon the Truth, not a Fact (aka our past!). We believe the Word of God and we believe in Jesus Christ. He is the Mark. He is the Author and the Finisher. He is the Beginning and the End. He is in All and Through All. Just believe in the Mercy and Saving Power of the Love of God. Believe in the Overcoming Power of God that will destroy any desire of going back to your Past. Believe in the fear eradicating Power of Love that is only found in Christ Jesus. God separates us from the sin of our past as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:11-13). Because we believe in Christ, now we can exalt the Power of God because of our Faith in Him to overcome, not ourselves. When you try to walk in the Word with your own power, it is futile. But if you realize that you are nothing without God, then God’s strength and power will work perfectly in your life. Pastor Mark & Kevann Carson said that when you don’t know what to do, you are in the position that God wants you to be in; total reliance on God. I thank God for His Power; it doesn’t fail. So now, the “thorn in the flesh” doesn’t matter any more, God’s Power is on display (and His Peace that surpasses all understanding J) I pray this helps you in your walk with Christ… Wesley |
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