Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 10Sample

Paul was probably the most influential individual - apart from Jesus - in the New Testament. The stories we come across when we read his epistles and letters are inspiring on so many levels. His actions and thoughts regarding the gospel of Christ render him a great example of complete commitment to Christ’s invitation towards restoration and salvation. However, in these few verses, we witness his total dependence on the grace of God. There have been many theories about what the thorn in Paul’s flesh might have been. Although we cannot be sure for certain, we can at least learn from the principles Paul gives us regarding our weaknesses and how we can use this to the glory of God. The greater my weakness, the greater the redemptive miracle of Christ and the greater the glory of Christ displayed. This scripture does not permit us to have a lowly view of ourselves but to showcase the undeserved redemptive work of Christ despite the flaws in our flesh. God can hit a straight shot with a skew club. Now, saying we are skew golf clubs is a misrepresentation of the glory to which we were restored. Fleshly desires and afflictions are part of the world we currently live in, and sometimes, we fall ignorantly into these traps. How incredible is it for us to boast in the grace and power of God as the only antidote to the pitfalls of this life? No matter your challenge or your thorn, His Grace is enough! What might be the thorn in your flesh holding you back? Are you confident of God’s sufficient grace over this specific affliction?