“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. 10 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 12:9-10 (NKJV).
How does it make you feel to be around people who always seem to be boasting?
The Apostle Paul had many reasons to boast about his incredible experiences.
In scripture, he lists some of those things. Now listen, he had a good reason to boast in his flesh, but the deal was that he would only boast in Jesus.
“22 ”Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews, five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:22–28 (NKJV).
Paul made it known that he had no power in himself except through Christ. He writes in Philippians 3:4-7 that he had achieved some personal goals, but all was a loss for the sake of Christ. He says there in the passage, “though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.”
The importance is the joy of knowing Christ, not boasting in self.
In 2 Corinthians 12:1, Paul is up front about sharing that life is not about personal achievements but only sufficiency in Christ. He writes, “It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.”
I have heard many times in this life that mercy means not getting what you deserve, and grace is getting what you don’t deserve.
My friends, His grace is all that we need… truly sufficient!.
Jeremy Dykes – CBC Ex. Board
