LW: We, as Christians, are always in need of grace –- not only ‘’dying grace’’, but grace to enable us to live to the praise and glory of God.

@Livingwater
Study 6A GRACE SUFFICIENT FOR EVERY NEED
DAYS OF HEAVEN UPON EARTH
(Scripture Portion: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10)

We, as Christians, are always in need of grace –- not only ‘’dying grace’’, but grace to enable us to live to the praise and glory of God. We may experience that God’’s grace is sufficient for our every need, not only to enable us to get through difficult situations but to do so triumphantly! There are three main thoughts in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10:

1 . THE SUFFERING PAUL EXPERIENCED
Every Christian experiences trial and testing. First , because this is the common experience of all members of the human race (Job 5:7); and
second , because it is the common experience of all Christians (Philippians 1:29). In verse 7, the apostle tells us about a very hard trial – – “a thorn in my flesh””. Concerning this, notice:
The Nature of it. It was real, and not imaginary. It was not a recurring carnal desire, otherwise Paul would not have gloried in it (verse 9); nor does it seem likely that it was some fellow-believer or an unbeliever who was ‘’a thorn’’ in his side; nor was it remorse over his pre-conversion persecution of the saints. It was an infirmity, a weakness, a handicap. It is helpful to us that we do not know what that ‘thorn’ was, other than that it was physical and painful. Thus, we may apply the promise of verse 9 to our infirmities –- our deafness, weak digestion, aches and pains, timidity……
The Purpose of it. When unpleasant things happen to us we naturally ask ‘‘Why has God permitted this?’’ In Paul’s case the purpose was revealed to him (verse 7). He was particularly susceptible to the temptation of pride and conceit because of his very great gifts, and because of his amazing experience at Lystra fourteen years previously –- read verses 2-6. (Compare Acts 14:19-20). God gave Paul a ‘’thorn’’ to keep him humble. It was purposeful, as are all our trials and tribulations. Look up John 13:7, and take courage –- for the Lord is working out His purpose in your life.
The Source of it. Where did this ‘’thorn’’ come from? Verse 7 says it was ““a messenger of Satan””, but notice the word ‘’given’’. This ‘’thorn’’ was a gift! In Psalm 55:22 the word ‘’cares’’ may be translated ‘gift’. Now carefully compare Philippians 1:29. So we see that God’’s ‘‘thorns’’ are given to us by Him, though He sometimes allows Satan to deliver them –- as He did in the case of Job. This is a great mystery, but such is the teaching of scripture.
The Result of it. What effect did Paul’s ‘’thorn’’ have upon him? It drove him to prayer –- which reminds us of the Christian man who backslid, and who, when he was stricken with paralysis and came back to the Lord, was heard to say, ‘’Oh, God! I thank you for my dear paralysis!’’see you in the next part.

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