This morning, I got a song stuck in my head that I didn't particularly like. Getting songs stuck in my head is something that happens to me quite often, and this particular song is one I hear on Christian Radio all the time. I started to ask myself WHY I didn't like this song, and I came up with two reasons (I won't list the song, as I don't want to seem like I am coming down on the artist who sings it): 1. The singer sounds like she is having a conversation with herself, and it's hard to follow.
2. In the end the singer glorifies herself, and talks about how strong she is, but I hear little (if any) recognition of the power of God. This is problematic, not only for this song, but it speaks to the state of the church. We allow "self-help" to rule over Scripture. We have allowed the world to creep in and sway our policies and our councils, and we have become too self-reliant. THIS IS WRONG! Sorry for yelling, but it's one of the most frustrating things in the world! We allow the world to influence God's people, as opposed to God's people, through complete and utter reliance upon His will and Word, influencing the world! Church, we were not made to blend in, be relevant, or to save the world by being a part of it. | When Paul said he became all things to all men that by all means he might save some (1 Corinthians 9), He didn't compromise who He was in Christ one bit! He just adapted to the situation and people, while walking in Christ. When Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us, He lived as one of us, and yet did not sin. He did not change who He was to become one of us. He showed us how to Live in the Power of the Father and walking in the Holy Spirit, so that we could be restored to the Image of God that we were created to be. Church, it's time to start walking in power again. It's time to stop singing songs about how we overcome, and sing Praises to the One who is our Overcomer! He is strong enough. His Grace is enough! On my own, I'm a sinful man, and I sin daily. But in the Spirit, I am who God is forming me to be, as I submit, daily, to His will. Submit and watch how Freedom and Life flow from you through the Holy Spirit indwelling in You!
2 Corinthians 12 English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul's Visions and His Thorn
12 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Concern for the Corinthian Church
11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.
Footnotes:
2 Corinthians 12:7 Or hears from me, even because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceitedEnglish Standard Version (ESV)
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