Experience The Power Of Christ In Your Life
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Before talking about the power of Christ in our lives, we must first understand what Paul meant. He began by saying, “each time.” In times he experienced what he called a thorn in the flesh.
So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 2 Corinthians 12:7
The Apostle Paul became a devoted Christian, but before then, he proudly served God as a devoted Pharisee. Therefore, pride lurked within his old nature and sometimes tried to surface.
Experiencing the power of Christ came by humbly boasting on his weaknesses. He wanted his readers to limit their boasting to things for which they needed to rely on the Lord.
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But they looked past Christ by bragging about their status and accomplishments instead of relying on His power. Paul tried to let them see the foolishness of their behavior.
Whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! 2 Corinthians 12:21-23
Then the apostle gave a short testimony of what he had endured in his service to the Lord. He didn’t boastfully share it. He wanted them to see they had nothing to boast about.
- Five times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.
- Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned.
- Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.
- I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers.
- I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles.
- And faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas.
- And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 2 Corinthians 12:24-26
Paul Continued “Boasting”
He continued by mentioning his hard work and sleepless nights. He also told them about the days he went without food and water. Plus, when he shivered in the cold with insufficient clothing.
He finished telling them about his physical experiences. Then hesitantly, he decided to fill them in on some of his spiritual encounters.
This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 Corinthians 12:1
He resumed by confirming that this type of boasting or bragging does nothing to promote the power of Christ. Fortunately, because he did share it, we get a better glimpse of his life.
I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4
He said I don’t want credit for anything I’ve experienced. He didn’t want someone putting him on a pedestal, saying, “Did you hear what happened with the Apostle Paul?”
But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 2 Corinthians 12:6-7
Paul Wanted the Power of Christ
Anytime Paul had the tiniest inkling to boast about himself or his endurance, maybe that thorn jabbed him again. However, that weakness reminded him of Christ and His power each time.
The people in the Corinthian church also had weaknesses, but didn’t experience the power of Christ through them. A big difference existed between their weaknesses and Paul’s.
In his relationship with Christ, the apostle turned from his sin and clutched the power of the Lord. On the other hand, the Corinthians continued to sin because they enjoyed it.
- For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response.
- I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.
- Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence.
- And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins.
- You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure. 2 Corinthians 12:20-21
We all have weaknesses, and we usually shy away from exposing them or them exposing us. According to Paul, don’t let pride get in the way. Let God work through your weaknesses.
He quoted God as saying, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” We see and experience the power of Christ at its best through our limitations and weaknesses.
Depend on Christ and His Power
In other words, when depending on the Lord rather than ourselves, we experience powerful manifestations of God’s strength.
Instead of viewing our weaknesses as a source of shame, they become opportunities for God’s strength to shine through.
Do you want the power of Christ in your life? Then let Him use your limitations to show His power and glory in ways your strengths cannot.
Lord, help us understand what Paul says about when I am weak, then I am strong. We humbly admit our weaknesses so we can experience the power of Christ.
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