"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
To Paul, Christ's power in him was of more value than the weaknesses and hardships, "that is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). Some have speculated to what Paul's weakness was, I believe it is unspoken for a reason. "Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-to keep me from exalting myself!" (2 Corinthians 12:10). It was a messenger of Satan sent to torment him.
To Paul, Christ's power in him was of more value than the weaknesses and hardships, "that is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). Some have speculated to what Paul's weakness was, I believe it is unspoken for a reason. "Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-to keep me from exalting myself!" (2 Corinthians 12:10). It was a messenger of Satan sent to torment him.
A friend of mine passed away recently. Murray Bell had been homeless for 14 years, he had been an alcoholic for more. To many the alcoholism was what defined him, the external. Murray told people I was his special friend, I did not know why until a few weeks before he passed, when he said to me, I can not teach you anymore. As I left him that day I wrestled with God about this; this homeless alcoholic has been teaching me? As God spoke to me and revealed the truth to me, I was reminded that God's ways are not mine. Murray was my friend for 4 years, he loved God more than anyone I have known. and in that time God had used him to teach me. Mostly he taught me God's unconditional love; no matter what happens He loves me, so keep my hand to the plow. I will not forsake you, I will not abandon you, so do not give up.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). There are spirits of fear, of condemnation, accusations, lies... these are not of God but of the enemy. If we are trying to convince people to come to God by these, is this of God? "But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious...how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory" (2 Corinthians 3:7-9). I love him because he first loved me. I know and have experienced his Grace and know he will continue to work his good in me.
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you" (Jeremiah 31:3). God's Grace draws me to him and motivates me to continue following him. "The whole point of the cross is that you are going to Fail... the whole point is that there is this Mighty Picture of His Love and pursuit of you... It is a picture of how far God is willing to go because He loves you..." How He Loves - David Crowder (with Matt Chandler and John Piper).
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you" (Jeremiah 31:3). God's Grace draws me to him and motivates me to continue following him. "The whole point of the cross is that you are going to Fail... the whole point is that there is this Mighty Picture of His Love and pursuit of you... It is a picture of how far God is willing to go because He loves you..." How He Loves - David Crowder (with Matt Chandler and John Piper).