When Thorns Teach Grace
By Dean Collins
I am pretty sure that the apostle Paul is not the only one who battled spiritual pride and conceit. His words are a warning and a help for us as we seek to understand how we are to live in this moment.
I suppose that there are healthy ways to take pride in certain things. We might have a sense of pride over simply putting in a hard day’s work or finishing a difficult task. We certainly take pride when our children or grandchildren show an act of kindness to another. But, on the other hand, we don’t want to become conceited and arrogant about who we are or what we do. Conceit and arrogance are not characteristics that followers of Christ should live by in our lives of faith.
Before Paul’s conversion, he was known as one who was well-trained in the Old Testament laws, and he was diligent to practice the law. In fact, his status as a Pharisee was achieved through his knowledge and his faithfulness to the law. His pedigree as a devout Jew was well established. But after his Damascus Road experience, Paul’s world was turned upside down. Even as a follower of Christ, Paul was aware that there was a danger of becoming prideful about what God had allowed him to understand and do.
Back in 1 Corinthians 8, Paul indicated that it is far better to be known by Christ than it is to be puffed up with knowledge. As Paul matured in his faith, he understood that did not remove the temptations of life. So it doesn’t surprise us to read these words from Paul in 2 Corinthians:
“So, to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.”
If you have ever pruned a rose bush or picked wild berries, you have likely been caught by a thorn. And, of course, you likely quickly removed the thorn because of its discomfort. Paul described some physical ailment or difficulty that, though he had prayed repeatedly for God to remove, had remained. And Paul recounts the answer he received from God as to why. God told Paul that He wanted him to understand that His grace was sufficient.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
The lesson Paul learned was that if he was to boast about anything, it was that his weaknesses allowed for Christ’s power to be made perfect in his life. Paul wanted the world to see that any of his accomplishments had little to do with him and everything to do with Christ’s power at work in his life.
Sometimes it seems that media—even some Christian media—suggests that we are to fight with others to make a point for God. And even worse, we see models by some that suggest we are to be proud when our arguments take down another person. God is not looking for followers who seek to slay others with their well-crafted arguments or by exposing another’s weakness. What God does desire is that we surrender our struggles and weaknesses so that His work can be released and seen through His grace.
Father, forgive us when we seek to call attention to self. Forgive us when we seek to take others down instead of simply laying down our weaknesses to you. Today we say with Paul that your grace is sufficient for us. Be strong in us as we surrender ourselves completely to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
2 Corinthians 12:7-10, 13:4,8-9, 11 ESV
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