| Author | Message | ||
| Max |
Although Paul wrote three chapters (2 Corinthians 10-12) about his "boasting," the heart of this three-chapter passage is this: 2 Corinthians 12:5-10 NIV: ^^5 ....I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. 7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh [his dim eyesight], a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 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. 10 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.^^ My qustion for you is, What does this passage mean to you? I'll start: To me it means that the more fruits of the Spirit that were born in Paul's life, the weaker he felt himself to be. This is analogous to the expressons of many Christians that the more changes the Holy Spirit makes in their lives, the more sinful they feel themselves to be. What do you think? | ||
| Rayna |
The more we keep our eyes on Jesus and realize His righteousness, the more sinful we will see ourselves to be. As we sit in darkness we do not see all the spots, wrinkles and stains on our garments. But when we come into the bright light of the world, Jesus, we look at ourselves and see our sinfulness. But remember God does not count these sins against us if we have accepted Jesus. God declares us righteous because of our faith in Jesus and His word. | ||
| Max |
NIV 2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. | ||
| Max |
Rayna, God bless you! It's been sheer delight trading Scriptures with you! Max of the Cross | ||
| Rayna |
Like I said, lets agree to disagree. :) thanks Rayna | ||
| Max |
Accepted! And nothing but blessings to you! |
