Paul speaks of himself in the third person in 2 Corinthians 12 as a man taken up into a 'third' heaven where he was shown inexplicable things and things unspeakable. It happened 14 years before. After it happened he must have thought he was a super spiritual man. So much was this the case that God gave Paul a 'thorn in the flesh' to crush his pride.
So much has been made of this third Heaven by many writers of this age that we sometimes miss the point of this passage. Paul says that he glories in this weakness. Indeed, after Paul had begged God to take the pain away, God said to Paul, "“My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.”
Paul said, "I don’t want people to think more of me than what they see me do or hear me say", 2 Corinthians 12:6
Paul says that it was true God showed him great things but it was not to show how spiritually elevated Paul was. This vision was about God's power, not Paul's. It took a divine affliction For Paul to see this fact and for Paul to get to the point for him to admit that all that matters is what people witness in his own words and work. A vision 14 years prior did not complete and empower the work he was currently doing.
The world is full of good story tellers and bad ones. Good stories give pleasure to some. Countless museums hold treasures of old. But old works and old stories do not complete work right now. They are like the man-made gods of which the Bible says,
"Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them."Psalm 115:4-8
The reason for Paul's thorn was for Paul to make sure every word of his was for God. Every boast of Paul's was for God's glory. Every work of Paul's was for God's kingdom.
Many of us need thorns to remind us who we are. All us who believe have the Holy Spirit to speak through us and to empower us to do His work. Our past may matter some but what matters is what are we doing now.
What are you and I doing now? If we are not physically able, are we praying and giving to the glory of God's kingdom? If we are able to work, are we working for Him?
Love keeps no record of wrongs.(2 Corinthians 13) Sin remembers. What better reason to keep sin confessed.
Sin would also keep us proud of things we have done in years past. But the kingdom of God is built on what we are doing now. So what is it?
Everyday, we are given a clean slate by the grace of God. Today, fill yours with that which brings God good pleasure.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me for living in the past. Keep my heart and mind here and now working and speaking for You.
