Lesson 505

(Lesson 505)(01-03-13) 2 Corinthians 12:1-9, "It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 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. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

In this lesson, Paul reluctantly tells of having met a "MAN OF CHRIST", fourteen years in the past, who was taken up to heaven and told unspeakable things. He says he couldn't really tell if the man was actually real or if he was seeing a spiritual vision. No matter which version is true, Paul was profoundly and eternally changed by the experience.
I believe the man Paul speaks of having met, is Jesus Christ in His glorified body. During that encounter, I believe Jesus taught Paul the mystery of the operation of God, and those things he needed to know in preparation for his ministry to the Gentiles.

Paul said of Jesus, "Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities."

In this passage, Paul is stressing that his own authority comes solely from Jesus Christ and that he is constantly reminded of his earthly anchor by his physical ailments. He makes it vividly clear that he would NEVER attempt to set himself above Jesus Christ.

Paul goes further to tell us that after failing three times, in prayer, to have his infirmity removed he had accepted it and made it his strength.
Jesus told him, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

We today, should also learn that those things we allow to stand in the way of our being more perfect ministers of the gospel, in most cases, can be used as an effective tool within that very ministry.~