Crazy statement right? Who wants to boast about weaknesses, wouldn’t we rather boast of our strengths, our accomplishments. The great and wonderful things we have done or are doing? Who wants to sit and listen to our failures? People are not encouraged by weakness, they're motivated by strengths. Right? They want to skip the struggles and get to the good stuff. Who wants to be a millionaire is what we’re asked. No one asks for help to fail. Quick results is what we’re after. That’s why so many people have lost their savings. Investing in get rich quick schemes. It’s happening everyday. Some claim they want money so they can help others. Really?
If it’s really about others, we’d be doing it now where we are. If you won’t do it when you have little you’ll most likely not do it when you have much. But that’s a message for another day. Today we’re boasting about our weaknesses. Why? Because it removes the glory from us and returns it to its rightful owner. The Lord Jesus Christ. Perspective brings honor to weaknesses. That’s why when Paul under the influence of the Holy Spirit spoke of the different parts of the body he said this:
“It would be wrong for the eye to say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” and equally wrong if the head said to the foot, “I don’t need you.” In fact, the weaker our parts, the more vital and essential they are. The body parts we think are less honorable we treat with greater respect. And the body parts that need to be covered in public we treat with propriety and clothe them. But some of our body parts don’t require as much attention. Instead, God has mingled the body parts together, giving greater honor to the “lesser” members who lacked it.”
1 Corinthians 12:21-24 TPT
Weaknesses in the sense of trusting God, are not signs of being weak. Spiritual Weakness is strength in reverse. As Christians weakness is a good thing. It's a total dependency on someone greater than ourselves. It cancels self reliance, pride and arrogance. It puts us on a level playing field with all people regardless of status, prestige, rich or poor. It allows us to see each other the way we see or view ourselves. Boasting in our strengths gives us an air of superiority over others we consider lesser than. The apostle Paul opened my eyes to the importance of Christian weakness. Acknowledging that we’re nothing, no matter our educational background, statuses or pedigree. Whether we’re from the right or left side of the tracks. Recognizing that we are who and what we are by God’s grace He is our true strength, and will enable us to boast in our weaknesses. Let’s read today’s focus scripture.
I especially love the way Paul deflected attention away from himself in the moment, even though he is writing about himself. You’ll get it later.
“Although it may not accomplish a thing, I need to move on and boast about supernatural visions and revelations of the Lord. Someone I’m acquainted with, who is in union with Christ, was swept away fourteen years ago in an ecstatic experience. He was taken into the third heaven, but I’m not sure if he was in his body or out of his body—only God knows. And I know that this man (again, I’m not sure if he was still in his body or taken out of his body—God knows) was caught up in an ecstatic experience and brought into paradise, where he overheard many wondrous and inexpressible secrets that were so sacred that no mortal is permitted to repeat them. I’m ready to boast of such an experience, but for my own good I refuse to boast unless it concerns my weaknesses. However, if I were to boast, it wouldn’t be ridiculous at all, for I would be speaking the truth. Yet I will refrain, lest others think higher of me than what I demonstrate with my life and teaching.”
2 Corinthians 12:1-6 TPT
Let’s pause here for a minute. Paul had a reason to boast. He had experienced something the disciples had not. Chapters 10-11 gives us an insight into why this discourse is taking place. Comparisons we’re being made, criticisms we’re being leveled against him and the way he did ministry. Remember Paul wasn’t one of the disciples. He wasn’t even chosen to replace Judas. His ministry and calling was quite unique. Jealousy was rearing its ugly head and he met it head on. Chapter 10 really gives us an idea of what he was up against.
This church was birthed through his ministry. There’s nothing harder than having to defend yourself against other Christians. He wrote in verse 11 of our text; “You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all.” He thought these believers would stand up for him against the attacks being made against him. Instead he had to defend himself. He stepped into the flesh momentarily. Boasting in his strengths. The Lord intervened by teaching him another way. we’re one body in Christ. We don’t compare ourselves to each other. 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 we compliment each other. That’s true strength (weakness). He taught us an invaluable lesson learned at the feet of the One who exemplified true grit. He brought things back into perspective.
He deflected the attention away from what would interfere with his purpose. Pointing others through weakness, self abandonment, to the Lord Jesus Christ. That was Paul’s mission. Let’s continue.
“The extraordinary level of the revelations I’ve received is no reason for anyone to exalt me. For this is why a thorn in my flesh was given to me, the Adversary’s messenger sent to harass me, keeping me from becoming arrogant. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to relieve me of this. But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment—when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ—I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power.”
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 TPT
Who wants to join me in boasting about our weaknesses? What strength is ours when we’re made weak through the things we endure for Him, only to be stronger witnesses for Christ. Our weaknesses are a portal, a large and imposing doorway for God’s glory to shine through. Do you know that resistance or opposition makes us stronger? That’s why the persecuted church is thriving worldwide. The more the enemy comes against them, the more they boast in their weaknesses. We boast in our strengths because we have not been opposed. We’re not being persecuted for our faith. That’s why testimony service, revival service, convocation service, is all about us. Our strengths, our accomplishments, our plans. And we remain powerless to effect change.
Paul’s experience with true weakness came as a result of his great revelations. The Lord had given him insight into things too wonderful to express. He didn’t want him relying on those things. He wanted him relying on true strength, found only in the Grace the Lord supplied. I like the TPT translation of verse 9. “ “But He answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and My power finds its full expression through your weakness.” Wow!
The Lord expresses His power more fully in my weaknesses.
We’ve had it wrong all along! It’s not in miracles, signs and wonders, it’s not in prosperity, it’s not in the abundance of gifts. It’s in the abundance of strength supplied in our weaknesses to endure persecution, insults, hardships, and difficulties, suffering for His Name. He concludes by sharing the secret to his great strength. “For when I’m weak, then I’m strong.” To the unregenerate mindsets that statement would be considered an oxymoron. To us it’s a reason for celebration. For His strength is indeed made perfect in our weakness. To some, Martin Luther King Jr's approach was a sign of weakness. But to those who chose another path, their efforts died with them. His legacy still lives on. He led from a place of “weakness “ but found that God’s Grace was sufficient. I guess by our definition Jesus was weak. Because the Bible says this:
“He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet He never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, He did not open His mouth.”
Isaiah 53:7 NLT
That’s Grace under pressure. He lived what He taught. Judas wanted a revolution. The Jews wanted a revolt against the Romans. The only change that took place while Jesus walked the earth was changed hearts. And the hearts that were changed through weakness have continued to change the world, not the world system. We’ve missed that too. John 3:16 does not say for God so loved the world system. Jesus didn’t come to change the system He came to change the world (people) the system will change when He returns to establish His government and governance on the earth. Until then, our responsibility is to change the world through our weakness by His grace and strength alone. Being willing to lay aside our rights and stand for His.
There’s nothing more powerful than godly weakness. Nothing more humbling than our past. God’s strength is not limited by the weaknesses of its surroundings.(our flesh) Before we attempt to change minds, we must first change hearts through the teaching of God’s Word. Changed hearts will change the world.
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
July 6, 2021
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