Relevant Life

e-Sword

2Co 12:1  I must brag, although it doesn’t do any good. I’ll go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

2Co 12:2  I know a follower of Christ who was snatched away to the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don’t know whether this happened to him physically or spiritually. Only God knows.

2Co 12:3  I know that this person

2Co 12:4  was snatched away to paradise where he heard things that can’t be expressed in words, things that humans cannot put into words. I don’t know whether this happened to him physically or spiritually. Only God knows.

2Co 12:5  I’ll brag about this person, but I won’t brag about myself unless it’s about my weaknesses.

2Co 12:6  If I ever wanted to brag, I wouldn’t be a fool. Instead, I would be telling the truth. But I’m going to spare you so that no one may think more of me than what he sees or hears about me,

2Co 12:7  especially because of the excessive number of revelations that I’ve had. Therefore, to keep me from becoming conceited, I am forced to deal with a recurring problem. That problem, Satan’s messenger, torments me to keep me from being conceited.

2Co 12:8  I begged the Lord three times to take it away from me.

2Co 12:9  But he told me: “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ’s power will live in me.

2Co 12:10  Therefore, I accept weakness, mistreatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. It’s clear that when I’m weak, I’m strong

Paul the Apostle battle an unknown situation or ailment. It is never clear on what Paul was suffering from. It is clear that his situation or condition was reoccuring. Regardless, Paul’s weakness kept him humble and more relient on the Lord.

We are, by nature, fragile beings. This is why we need someone in our lives who is neither fragile or finite. God fits this purpose. To date, I am 51 years old. I feel good and I am in good health. However, I am reminded everyday of my journey to the end of this life.

Millionaire Bryan Johnson has dedicated his life to living longer. His daily regement appears to have reversed 20 years from his life. His daily routine has made it hard for him to enjoy relationships with others and have a normal life that many of us aspire too. ( https://fortune.com/well/2023/02/01/will-bryan-johnson-reverse-aging-regimen-extend-his-life/) We can’t prevent or stop our human condition. We are weak and frail. Life is truly short and all of us will one day meet the God of the Universe. Paul the apostle embraced this truth. He probably even regreted it at times because he wanted to do more for the Lord.

Embracing our weakness draw us closer to the Lord. It also ignites something within us. It brings us to an increasing truth that time is something we can not control. It is not the quantity of time we should be consumed with but the quality of life. What are we doing with what God has given us? It is never too late to allow His strength to abide in us. When we are strong in the Lord; we are believers on a mission. We become passionate for His kingdom.

Truths to remember from this passage of Scripture.

1. We can enjoy a close relationship with God during our life time. It can we so close that we can have phyiscal and spiritual encounters with His spirit.
2. Revelations from God come to those who are broken and humbled.
3. We will continue to fight our flesh even until our death. Doesn’t mean that we can’t win every fight though.
4. Weakness + Humility = Strength through the Lord.