As I am listening to "All I Have" by Tenth Avenue North, I can't help but think how true the opening is: "Forgive me, Lord for thinking you could ever need me." Somehow, because of the society we live in and the lies they offer, I honestly think we believe God needs us. Truth is, God doesn't need us, we need Him. "All I Have is Yours, oh Lord."
As a Christian, I can very much relate to those who have the need for crutches. Crutches are used for support, which everyone needs. However, as a Christian, I do not think Jesus is interested in being just a crutch. Crutches just lend some support; they don't totally give full support.
So here is my proposition: Other believers are crutches Christ gives us because He is in complete control. We literally cannot make a move if it were not for the sovereign act of God.
As a side note, I got to thinking about this because of the old adage, "Words come back to haunt you." My life verse is II Corinthians 12:9 which says, "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'
That right there is enough to make you think, but the verse doesn't stop there! Paul responds with a bold statement, "Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Now I will admit that I am no theologian, but I am aware that there is controversy as to whether or not the context here of a thorn being in Paul's side is literal or figurative. I have my own opinion, but regardless, I can somewhat empathize. My sin is a constant reminder, that's for sure.
So, if Paul is referring to his past sins, which he certainly had, I can definitely relate! But to steal a quote from the song "The Struggle" by the band Tenth Avenue North, "Hallelujah, we are free to struggle; we're not struggling to be free."
The other interpretation is that Paul's condition is actually physical. And I can somewhat relate. I have a bad knee, but the difference is Satan didn't put this one in me; I did. The reason my knee hurts is a result of my own stupidity, but that's a different story for a different post on a different day!
I leave you all with these challenges/encouragements:
1 - Surround yourself with people who are supportive. That doesn't mean ones who just agree with you and do what you do. Diversity is a good thing. You have weaknesses and strengths and as a body, we are supposed to put all those parts together.
2 - Don't be stupid. Clear cut and simple. My mistakes cost me literally in this life and have eternal consequences, too. Thankfully, Christ died for my sins and so I have "redemption through His blood" (Ephesians 1:7).
But all of that would sound like a bunch of things to do and would miss the point of the passage!
3 - Remember God's grace is more than enough. He loves you and me despite the fact that we mess up. However, He does not love the messes we make. Comforts come with challenges. Paul put it well when he asked and answered, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
So the comfort is based on the finished work of Christ, but the challenge is that the work we are doing as a result of that finished work on the Cross is unfinished. To quote the 7 dwarves from Snow White and the Dwarfs, "It's off to work we go!"
Making pens and making a difference!
Daniel Patrick
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