LEARNING FROM TRIALS. (3)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*LEARNING FROM TRIALS. (3)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

2 Cor 12:7  *And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Though Paul may appear not to be boasting over his religious and academic resumé, he admitted God withheld the thorn in his flesh so that he would not exalt himself above measure. This was an admission of pride.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Paul went through many trials/challenges.

2 Cor 12 tells us an exception from the trials he suffered through enemies.

The chapter shows us the challenges he faced from a self-made problem called, pride.

Paul must have been proud. God taught him to be dependent on divine strength/ God's grace rather than his own abilities.

He must at a certain time of his life exhibited some pride.

Looking at his resumé, he must be a proud man.

He wrote in Phillipians 3:4 *Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:*

His *".....confidence in the flesh....."* refers to his pride in the qualifications, achievements, religious lineage and heritage he possessed as a zealous Jew.

He further wrote in Phillipians 3:5-6

*Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;*

*Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.*

Rom 11:1 *".....For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.*

Paul's self description lists his strong Jewish heritage, his background and his status as a person of intense devotion to Moses' law and his meticulously observant Pharisee in his former life.

He had a sound rabinical training under Gamaliel.

Acts 22:4, he writes *I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.*

It may appear he was informing of his distinguished credentials but his expression does carry some underlying pride.

Without doubt his lists of achievements was to show that even with such a distinguished religious background he possessed, he considered his former religious achievements worthless compared to the spiritual and surpassing value of the disciples who knew Christ and walked with Him.

He listed his achievements to demonstrate that the utter lack of spiritual value in human merit is nothing compared to the righteousness found through faith in Christ. 

His statement of achievements, however, did show credentials with intellectual prowess and training with deep expertise which he had over other disciples or which many or all of the disciples did not have.

His statement of achievement informed that though he did not walk with Christ, he atleast was a Benjamite which sprang from Benjamin, the only son of Jacob to be born in the Promised Land, and he was a son of Jacob’s favourite wife, Rachel.

From the tribe came the first king of Israel, Saul (a Hebrew name).

The only tribe that was faithful with Judah to form the Southern Kingdom, Jerusalem wherein lies Jerusalem the City of David and of God.

These achievements and lineage informed that he had been in or close to Christ before any of the disciples though he did not walk with like other disciples did.

We must be careful. God is looking and hearing what we say and do.

Your immense qualification/experiences could easily lead to arrogance, making you think you are superior to others or that your importance/spiritual status comes from your own achievements. 

Are you proud or indirectly proud?

Whichever way you are proud is not hidden

from God.

He humble Paul. He learned humility from what God taught him.

He would later write in 2 Cor 12:9b-11 *"......Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.*

*Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.*

*"I am become a fool in glorying;......"*

Humble yourself before He humbles you

*Remorse corner.*

While it is important to celebrate our academic and other achievements, we must set boundaries between our achievements and righteousness found through faith in Christ. 

*Call to Word action.*

God humbled Paul. He brought him down to his knees. We must not exalt who we are or have achieved over God.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

We must know that even the best human credentials are not enough to earn salvation or provoke or facilitate the blessings of God

*Prayer.*

Lord help me not to exalt myself above measure, in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.