I am going to start with the end in mind. In order to do this I am going to give you an outline for 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 that I have developed in studying the passage with “fresh eyes” searching the scriptures for Truth. I am also presenting a working definition of “Grace” for you to ponder under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
After considering this outline and definition please read the passage again and see what the Holy Spirit has to say to you.
The Apostle Paul’s Path to Living “Exalted Beyond Measure” (thorn removal) (2 Corinthians 12:1 – 10):
- Super-natural Revelation (verses 1 – 4): Receiving, walking out, and sharing, revelation of the Word of the Lord to move me deeper in my relationship with Jesus, and advance the Kingdom of Heaven in the Earth.
- Super-natural Preparation (verses 5 – 6): Humbling myself before the Lord in order to prepare for exaltation to a place of influence and impact without becoming prideful. (1 Peter 5: 5 – 6 humble = exalted)(Psalm 34: 1 – 3 boast in the Lord)
- Super-natural Battle (verses 7 – 8): Thorn in the flesh = Satan’s attack to kill me, steal the Word, destroy my impact and influence, or puff me up with pride to make me fall. Attempt to stop me from being “exalted above measure.”
- Super-natural Victory (verse 9): “My grace is sufficient” = Grace is my all sufficient covering (the helmet of salvation); I am saved (forgiven, delivered, healed, set free) by Grace (divine empowerment, unmerited/unlimited divine favor); I am empowered to resist the devil and send him fleeing in terror.
- Super-natural Exaltation (verse 10): “exalted above measure” = Lifted up by the Lord to a place of influence and impact in order to live victoriously and build the Kingdom, moving above the reach of Satan or the flesh in the area in which I have received and responded to Divine Revelation. [Implied: Super-natural Lifestyle: Repeat: glory to glory (battle to battle/victory to victory) on our “stairway to heaven”]
The deeper the Spirit takes me into what the Word reveals about the nature, power, and purpose of “Grace,” the more I realize just how little I actually know. I have been living in God’s Grace for 52 years (since being saved by grace at the age of 8), and yet I have not even scratched the surface. The following is an attempt to place what I am learning into a working definition of “Grace” (it is a work in process):
“Grace is the Holy Spirit’s resurrection power (by grace I am saved through faith) working within me to manifest the Lord’s unmerited favor, imparting… …salvation to my spirit (my spirit is born again, I am a new creation – a brand new species of being that never existed before, I now possess the mind of Christ); …deliverance to my soul (my mind is being saved as I renew it with the Word of God’s Grace); …health, healing, and life to my body (my body is continually being quickened (enlivened) and disciplined); …provision for all of my material needs and wants (the curse of poverty has been broken and the promise of the Blessing of Abraham is mine)… Grace has given me the power to destroy the works of the devil. This Grace is received and activated through faith in the finished work (death, burial, resurrection, and ascension) of Jesus Christ.”
Now, please read this classic passage again with the “eyes of the Spirit.”
“It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. The Thorn in the Flesh and lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to [b]buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:1-10 NKJV)
Keep leading us Lord as we consider…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 74: “Time to turn over the apple cart.” Part 9: It’s my thorn in the flesh. (I’ve got tweezers you can borrow) continued