2 Corinthians 12:7-9

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2^nd Corinthians 12:7-9

Ever since chapter 10, Paul has been defending his ministry to the Corinthian Christians. We can get a window into the structure of the early Church by witnessing its problems. The question of authenticity was one that plagued the early churches. Who was to be trusted? With so many preachers rotating through the early congregations, who was to be believed? These believers sought whole-heartedly to follow Jesus but often wavered in their support of Paul or other genuine apostles (genuine in that they followed the early church’s system for authority: that they had gotten their teachings from Christ Himself). In light of the somewhat prideful and unscrupulous resumes of certain missionaries, Paul presents his own credentials all the while noting tangentially that he has no need to do so. The whole of chapter 11 is a summary of all that Paul has suffered in His service to Christ. We will touch on this in a later portion of Scripture but suffice to say that Paul’s suffering and trials served as the evidence of the purity of his teaching.

Paul continues in the first portion of chapter 12 relating the story of an unknown believer (most scholars think it was Paul himself) who witnesses to the glories of heaven. The images witnessed must have been too wondrous to describe to others (similar to the Transfiguration) and thus Paul’s knowledge of them had to remain his alone.

This brings us to what is one of the larger themes in the entire letter of 2^nd Corinthians: the concept that God’s power is made most evident in light of man’s weakness. One can trace this theme throughout Scripture back to the nation of Israel, whose failures served to highlight the justice and faithfulness of their God and indeed back to the Garden where the Lord laid out the foundations of a redemptive path in light of Adam’s first and greatest weakness.

The Reason for Trials

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

Throughout the last 2000 years many have conjectured what Paul’s ‘thorn’ was. Some popular theories are chronic eye problems, malaria, migraines, epilepsy, a speech impediment, or even another person. Though we cannot know for sure to what Paul was referring, we can know for sure why it was given. Paul states that it was given so that he didn’t become conceited.

I find it interesting that Paul takes a step back and analyzes the reason behind the affliction. In our own lives we don’t tend to do this. When some trial enters our life we rarely look at the spiritual causes behind it. Rather, we spend our efforts complaining about or fighting against it.

Scripture maintains that trials often have a reason they are given to us. Note that I said ‘given’, as Paul does. Satan does not operate free from the sovereign will of the Father. Even in his rebellion he is limited in his scope. We see this in his interaction in Job’s life and we see it again here as it is said that Paul was given a messenger of Satan. In this we see that even trials flow from the will of our good Father who desires our sanctification.

In observing Scripture we can see several reasons that we are given trials:

1.       To humble us. This is the reason Paul describes here. We are so apt to attribute great skills and knowledge to ourselves that sometimes the Lord has to send affliction to bring our Spirit’s to a place of humility.

2.       To discipline. In a similar way, sometimes the Lord has to discipline his children to ensure that they continue to seek to good, righteous path and bring glory and honor to the Father. We can see this over and over in the history of the nation of Israel who was constantly rebelling and repenting. The Assyrian and Babylonian captivities are the clearest witness to this. Speaking to this, the writer of Hebrews states: It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? … For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Though it may be hard to hear, sometimes we suffer affliction and trial as a gentle (or sometimes not so gentle) rebuke to bring our erring hearts back to God.

3.       To perfect us. Sometimes the affliction and trials serve to perfect us in Christ’s image. James writes: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Though paradoxical, sometimes it is in fact the trials and obstacles we encounter that cause us to draw nearer to the Lord and to more closely abide in Him, obeying more and more the Law of Love, and relying ever more upon His Spirit for our strength.

Trials Aren’t Easy

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.

This might seem obvious, but Paul’s narrative illustrates what we often feel: afflictions aren’t easy. As obvious as this might seem, often our perceived notion of what a ‘good Christian’ is causes us to downplay the seriousness and pain of affliction and trial. There is a reality of pain. There is a reality to being conflicted. Even Paul admits to it here. He didn’t want whatever this ‘thorn’ was. He prayed that it would go away. This should serve to validate our pain. It doesn’t make excuses for further sinful action, but it goes a long way towards breaking down the perception that a mature believer doesn’t suffer affliction or that their effects are somehow muted. Trials are, I believe, a sign of a mature believer rather than a signal of immaturity.

Power in Weakness

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

We get now to the meat of Paul’s illustration, and indeed for much of the letter to the Corinthians. After taking his concerns and pains to the Lord in prayer Paul receives a response. We do not know how Paul received this, whether it was an audible voice or the voice of the Spirit speaking in his heart, but we do know that the Lord responded.

First, the Lord responds: My grace is sufficient for you. Now this wasn’t the response Paul was likely seeking. Instead of addressing Paul’s specific concern, the Lord responds in broader strokes. The Lord maintains that His grace (unmerited favor) is sufficient in ALL situations. There is no situation in which the grace of God will be found lacking. There is no struggle in which the grace of God is NOT able to redeem. No matter the sin; no matter the trial; no matter the affliction, the grace of God is sufficient for us. Healing may come. Our prayers may be answered. We may see restoration. Beyond all that though, the grace of God is sufficient for us. It is sufficient if the sickness remains. It is sufficient if oppression continues. It is sufficient even if we still struggle (and we will) to live purely for Christ. This grace is sufficient both on a sacrificial and legal level, but (I believe) this verse speaks more towards the unfailing comfort and spirit of perseverance it brings to our soul.

Secondly, the Lord gives a reason as to who His grace is sufficient for us, namely: for my power is made perfect in weakness. This anecdote comes in the context of accusations from the Corinthians (or at least the offending preachers) that Paul was weak. To this Paul responds with the confidence that it is in weakness that God’s power is made and displayed most fully. Paul served the risen God. He served with passion and confidence, but he was a man just like any of us. He served the Lord with flaws, with biases, with his own foolish moments. We all have born the mark of weakness from the very first moments in the Garden. We are weak both in body (easily sickened, broken, and quickly fading) and in spirit (we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.) We can all attest to the myriad of ways in which we exhibit the signs of weakness.

Yet

Yet the Lord asserts that is in our weakness of body and soul that His power is “made perfect.” This not to say that the Lord needs our weakness to properly demonstrate His character but rather that our innate weakness as human beings serves as the perfect backdrop to illustrate the power and might of God the Father. There is no better contrast. If the Lord can work through a flawed man such as Paul or a flawed man or woman such as you or I, then He is truly able to do anything. This is not to excuse sin. By no means. The grace of God should draw us ever closer to Christ and increase our love of the Lord which will lead to obedience to His commandments. This is why Paul can state (in v10): For when I am weak, then I am strong. It is the power of Christ in us that gives us the strength to do anything. We rely completely upon it. When we come up against those who would point to our own sicknesses, biases, or sinful history, we can and should confidently agree (not from self-righteousness) but in that if the Lord is able to do anything through us, then He is able to do anything through anybody.

I don’t know where you struggle. I don’t know where I will struggle tomorrow. I don’t know when health will fail me. I don’t know when my faltering spirit might give in to temptation. I don’t know when doubt will cast shade upon the walls of my heart and mind. In that moment, you and I can stand firm against the shadow; against the accuser (human, psychological, or heavenly) and state that God’s grace is sufficient for me. Let it echo through halls of our mind: God’s grace is sufficient for me.

2 Corinthians 7:8-11

For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it--- though I did regret it, for I see that the letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.

2 Corinthians 7:8-11

Paul shifts his focus here to comment on his previous letter (likely 1 Corinthians) in which he spoke harshly (though not inaccurately) about the ungodliness in which the Corinthian Christians were partaking. He remarks here that though he did not enjoy grieving them as such, but feels great joy that his rebuke brought about repentance in them. Paul paints a picture of what it looks like to properly rebuke or correct another believer. While that would likely be an interesting topic to mine, I would rather choose to focus on v10 and its implications for our own lives.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. Paul gives us a powerful contrast between godly grief and worldly grief. It is particularly important for us today to understand the role grief plays both positively and negatively.

First, before we can properly address Paul’s statements here we must acknowledge that the Lord does indeed discipline us. “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. … For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

In our current age we have been taught to accept a pacified God who loves too much to offend and cares too much to discipline. This does not reflect any Biblical understanding of the Lord but rather reflects our own shifting attitudes toward humanity and parenting. The Lord does love us. He does care for us, but he cares for us too much to leave us in the throes of our own misguided ways. He often (justly) allows the earthly consequences of our sin to lead us to repentance. He also divinely disciplines us to draw near to him. Ours is a God of both compassion and justice. Sometimes the most compassionate thing He can do for us is to discipline us.

With that established, let us compare the proper godly view of grief with the worldly, improper view of grief.

Godly Grief Leads to Repentance. Worldly Grief leads to depression.

Paul here contrasts godly grief and worldly grief. The main distinction he makes is that godly grief leads to repentance whereas worldly grief leads to death. When confronted with our sin either through the conviction of another human or the convicting of the Holy Spirit we have two choices: either we can accept the righteous rebuke and confess our sin or we can ignore the sin. We cannot however, ignore the grief. If we have indeed been convicted by the Holy Spirit which resides within us, we are left with the knowledge and weight of our own sin. The correct outlet for that weight is to lead us to repentance for “if we confess ours sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This, indeed, is the very purpose of grief.

On the other hand, if we, having been loaded with the guilt and grief, do not bring ourselves to confess and repent of our sin, we set an unmanageable amount of burden upon our shoulder which we cannot and were never intended to bear. Only Christ is capable of carrying the weight of our sin. When we cannot accept the rebuke or when we cannot bring ourselves to ask for forgiveness (perhaps because we consider our sin too grievous to be forgiven) we embark in a condition that can only lead to depression. What other outcome is there if we bear the full weight of our sins ourselves?

We spend far too much of our lives like this, bearing the weight of our past sins and shame. The memories of our sins, which should instead lead us to praise the God willing to forgive them, drags us down into a crippling despair for which there is no escape except repentance.

Godly Grief leads to a right understanding of sin.

Godly grief leads us to understand that our sin, no matter how heinous, can be forgiven and redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus. It is our relationship Him that allows our lives to even continue. Having been thus forgiven, we can (though it is not easy) live our lives in the newness of freedom in Christ. This is the economy of mercy: we bring the full measure of our sinfulness to the throne of God and Christ takes that measure upon himself. We are then those who have been forgiven much.

Worldly grief leads to a view of sin that is altogether inaccurate. Worldly grief emboldens sin by devaluing the sacrifice of Christ. A worldly grief makes sin too large for the blood of Christ to handle. It is too big for him. We, of course, would never say it this way, but our actions belie our words. When we carry with us the guilt because we believe that it is too much for God to forgive, we are, in essence, saying that Jesus wasn’t enough, that we need something more. When we carry with us the shame of our past lives and past choices, refusing to let them go, we only heap more and more guilt upon us for (as we all know) we still struggle with sin every day.

Godly Grief leads us back to the Lord.

The easiest way to tell if the grief we are feeling is godly or worldly is in the way it affects us. Godly grief will always lead us back to the Lord. Godly grief does not trivialize our sin or shift the blame. What it does however is convict us and remind us that we need to be constantly bringing our sins to the foot of the cross. We are debtors who incur more debt each and every day. We must constantly be returning to Jesus the guilt we cannot bear.

We can tell when we are behaving in an ungodly way when our grief pulls us further away from God. It may be that we feel we must perform some penance to again get in God’s good graces. It may be that we feel we cannot turn to Scripture for a time. It may be an inability to pray. While these emotions are natural and serve to convict us of the depth of our sin, we must never allow them to be carried out. Any inclination we have to turn away from God, even if our thoughts claim it is only for a short time, we must resist though our minds condemn us. Alternatively, we must repent and confess as soon as we feel the tinge of conviction. Whether than confession is to another human or only to the Lord, we must never allow ourselves to go out in the world with unconfessed sin. This can only lead to a further spiral of sinfulness and despair.

In conclusion, here are some tips to help avoid falling into worldly grief. (Note: these are true but not easy).

How can we combat worldly grief?

1.       Repent immediately

a.       Do not allow for ‘penance’ time. Don’t buy in that lie that you need some time away from God before you repent.

b.      Do repent sincerely. Involve others if necessary (easier said than done).

2.       Do not neglect God’s Word

a.       (never, never, never)

b.      Even if the words feel empty and void.

3.       Focus only on how you can love and serve the Lord today, not on how you have failed Him in the past.

a.       Don’t be ruled by regret. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret

4.       Only view your past failure in the context of God’s great grace (not on the failure of your own strength).

I Don't Deserve That

Let’s play a game, okay?

It’s called “I don’t deserve that.”

My daughter (now three) has never had any serious medical issues.

I don’t deserve that.

Despite my best efforts to poison my body with fats, artificial flavors, and preservatives, I remain healthy enough to run, hike, and keep up with my family.

I don’t deserve that.

I have a wife who inexplicably close to marry me and has put up with far more than her share of my eccentricities, neurosis, and sins.

I don’t deserve that.

A few months ago I was going through a particularly bad period. It wasn’t that life was going badly or that some catastrophic event had struck, but rather I just felt generally down for about three. It was hardest while I was at work. I was in a new job, learning to work with new people, and experiencing push back on the things I was trying to do. On one particularly low day I took out a sheet of black packing labels (they abound aplenty at my job) and started listing all the things I was thankful for. I’ve always heard (and taught) that this is a beneficial and healthy way to approach life. We can only thank the Lord for the things we are aware of. I tried not to limit my thanks to things of great significance.

My list began to look something like this:

-          For my wife for putting up with me

-          For an amazing daughter who I am completely infatuated with

-          For pine trees

-          For the ability to grow prodigious facial hair

-          For the beauty of creation in Northern Michigan

-          That I am part of the Lord’s elect

-          For the lives of X and Y [former students] who remind me how the Lord does work in people’s lives.

It went on.

I don’t deserve any of it.

I still have that list in my desk at work. I’d like to say that I return to it often, but I forget. I forget everything that the Lord has done for me. Instead I get distracted by the concerns of the day. [read: I obsess over the concerns of the day] I get depressed over events in the world. I get beaten down by the sin in my own life.

I know that the Lord has done some amazing things in my life. Paul says that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This alone should prompt me to reflect and praise the Lord. However, while profound and theologically accurate, this often seems too grandiose; the words too (dare I say it) familiar at this point in my spiritual life. It fades in light of the pressing concerns of the day.

What breaks us of our familiarity is forcing ourselves to come face-to-face with the multitudes of ways in which the Lord has blessed us. We take it for granted. If we’re not careful we can flip the phrase on its head and begin uttering “I don’t deserve this” in anger when things don’t go the way we envision rather than realizing that we deserve absolutely nothing. I know myself. I know my history. I know my present. I know that I deserve none of what the Lord has blessed me with.

Some days we just need to see it.

To see it written down in ink.

The facts.

Everything.

So that we can look up again and say, with surety, “I don’t deserve that.”

And we can praise the giver of the things we don’t deserve.

The Witness of Life

“Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”

Acts 14:15-17

Paul implores the people of Lystra, who were attempting to deify Paul and Barnabas who had been healing and preaching, to honor God not mere men. They go so far as to tear their robes in anguish at the misunderstanding of the people. To clarify their thinking, Paul gives them a stunning refutation of the worship of mere idols. His words, which were spoken to a very spiritual yet ungodly people two thousand years ago, are particularly relevant for our world today. He acknowledges their spiritual fervency by calling them to: “turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in it.” Paul calls them to worship a bigger God, the living God, not a mute idol, not some dead pantheon.

In a world such as ours, which questions absolutes, worships honestly yet incompletely, and settles for cultural traditions rather than a living God these are words which should challenge us. Who do you worship? Is it a partial understanding? Is it an incomplete picture?

Even as believers we pick and choose the elements of the Lord we worship. We love Jesus the teacher but don’t like his challenging words of judgement. We love the freedom of grace but ignore the prickly realities of truth. We love the power evidenced in Acts but grow uncomfortable when we ponder its role today. Do we Christians worship the true God today? The whole God? The living God?

“In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”

Paul shows the people the real world, everyday examples of the grace of God--- the common grace. This parallels his exposition in Romans 1:18-21.

How often do we attribute those acts to the power of God today? How often do we see God working through the rains and harvest and food and gladness? In the agrarian culture he was speaking to, these things were equated to sustenance and bounty; goodness and plenty. These are the thing the living God provides. The good things in live, Paul says, the things you need to live and live well, come from God. They come from God in a very real and tangible way. Do we acknowledge that?

For those of us who identify themselves as Christians, do we praise God for all he does? If we, who claim to honor God and praise God, don’t acknowledge him, who will? How can we call those who do not yet know him to praise him if we ourselves are silent to the countless ways he provides for us?

The world needs to hear the call to worship the One God, the true God, the living God who has bestowed grace, common and saving upon us and we all need to praise him for all he has provided.