by Jesse Abel
Thoughts from Papa “J”
If it were not for the human eye, wisdom may have a chance in the world around us: so Solomon says. Notice how Adam and Eve verify Solomon’s instruction. Proverbs 4:1-27: Genesis 2:15-17 and Genesis 3:6-7. Most of evil enters through the eyes, and then we make the choice under the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Good Morning
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – The apostle Paul does not identify what he calls a “thorn in the flesh” but we do know from this passage a couple of things that identify where the thorn came from. You know we really need to be careful with our thinking. Should we agree as some have said that the apostle suffered this hindering thorn from God? The scripture does not say this is true, but I have heard messages that say so!
In this I believe that those who say such things have forgotten the context of this epistle which for the most part is spiritual warfare from Satan directed at God and His children. This leads many to believe that Satan is not real and I know that some of you out there believe this. Yet the scripture (the word of the Living God) reveals that Satan does exist; so this supersedes what we may choose to believe. Let God be true and if you do then all the rest are liars. Romans 3:4.
Back to the text: You may be thinking that the text of 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 indicates that the thorn was provided by Satan, but that God agreed, therefore the overall authority and responsibility is of God. Then I say that we so quickly forget the book of Job. Satan’s intent in this Book is to destroy Job, while God’s intent was to bless Job (SPIRITUAL WARFARE). Another warfare event in history is Satan’s conversation with Eve and the outcome of that conversation we viewed earlier.
Then there is another passage in Romans; one that we often abuse or take out of context; Romans 8:16-30 that somewhat parallels our passage here in 2 Corinthians 12. It is the Spirit of God who knows our weaknesses in this spiritual war. It is He who makes intercession for us when we cry out for help and it is He who intercedes for us saints to align us to the will of God. In this we know that God is working all things (good and evil) or (spiritual warfare) for those who love Him according to His purpose and not Satan’s purpose.
Notice that the apostle Paul understands that the buffeting of Satan is not a design of God, but a useful tool to develop the sufficiency of God’s grace. I do not believe that there is a physical condition that Paul is asking for God to cure. There is not one of us who does not have some physical ailment that God has not heard about from us; physical ailments do not normally hinder our walk with the LORD. Some are healed and some are not, but we continue to serve HIM.
However and whenever we obtain spiritual understanding regarding our spiritual infirmities we learn quickly that God’s grace is sufficient for us. It is those spiritual weaknesses of the flesh that exercise faith in and of God producing strength in our walk in spiritual sanctification. What is that strength of God toward us? “Faith” a faith that is not ours to begin with, Galatians 2:16 (KJV), forget the Greek idioms, it is the faith “of” Christ and not our faith “in” Christ; also see Ephesians 2:8. Our faith in Christ is weak, but made strong by the faith of Christ upon us.
I like what the apostle has to say about the “power of Christ” resting upon him 2 Corinthians 2:9. Herein is the rub of this passage. I know of no greater joy than having the Power of my Savior resting upon my weakest moments in time. Yes these moments have been physical, relational and spiritual, but this I know that when Christ the LORD expressed from the cross, “IT IS FINISH” He covered all my sin, suffering and weaknesses and “Oh my, what a joy fills my soul” 1 Corinthians 12:10.
The word “power” in verse 9 is the Greek word “dunamis” which is translated “work” in Mark 6:5 and “workers” in 1 Corinthians 12:29.
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