Does that mean that He gives up the ability to "put up" with anything? That is really the idea that we have had of that phrase.Nothing could be futher from the truth! II Cor 12:6-11 says-
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. 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.
There is so much in these few words!I actually have a 3 hour series that covers this passage so trying to condense my thoughts is very hard.
First to understand any part of the word it has to mesh with the whole word.In this passage there are a few principles at play.
Paul starts out by saying that though he would desire to glory he would NOT!So God wasn't trying to humble him,he already was!
The next principle is the sower sows the word and then satan comes to take the word out.Our beliving the word is how we get grace,we covered that in an eariler blog.Satan came to try to get the word out that would exalt him over the things of the world,that's his job.We will not overcome the world in any area that we do not have a revelation of the word or covenant.
Speaking of covenant,God said if we resist the devil he WILL flee.He did not say he might if I decide he needs to.When God put something in his word he will keep it.Heb 6:16-19 says-For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.
The word hope means to expect! No where does it say to ask Jesus to take care of the devil,HE ALREADY HAS! Jesus said MY grace,the devine influnence on the heart and it's reflection in the life,is enough for YOU!You have enough knowledge that has given you enough grace to be enough like me to take care of the devil.So Paul said most gladly will I glory when I am weak cause then I still can take care of that situation.
Maybe if you don't agree with this it will make you mad enough to study it out in line with the rest of the new testament!
