Getting for self<\/em> undergirded this concern.<\/p>\nThis concern and its pursuit is divorced from biblical truth, for the unbeliever all the time and sadly for the believer some of the time. Avoidance of and relief from God\u2019s providence is the unbeliever\u2019s goal. Often it is the bel3eiver\u2019ds as well.<\/p>\n
Moreover, at some point in his life, almost everyone knows and functions as if there is something bigger than him and that every person has a destiny. That was Paul\u2019s approach to life as given in Philippians 3:3-6. Getting and gaining for himself controlled him as it does every unbeliever in varying degrees.<\/p>\n
As a believer, Paul\u2019s interpretative grid consisted of the Bible and the Holy Spirit. He was able to properly understand God, himself, others, and circumstances. He knew the Bible was God\u2019s tool-truth<\/em> to be read, understood, and applied. Therefore he saw and understood the now<\/em> \u2013 the present through the lens of the eternal (Hebrews 12:1-3; 1 John 3:1-3). Both he and Jesus had work to do on earth which was part of living in the now<\/em>.\u00a0 But each one saw beyond the now<\/em> to eternity. Moreover, Paul understood that resurrection life began at salvation. He rejoiced!<\/p>\nPaul lived in the light because he was light (Ephesians 5:8-14). Paul knew man was a whole person: inner and outer man. The outer man includes the brain. There is no word in the original language for brain. Paul knew that man with this dual aspect must be considered as a unit. The inner and outer man is linked and each influences the other and the whole.<\/p>\n
Paul drew a distinction. He compared what was happening in the heart (the inner man – the unseen<\/em>) to that which was on going in the body \u2013 the outer man: the seen<\/em>. The inner man was being renewed (the unseen<\/em>) while the outer man\/body was decaying (the seen<\/em>). Outer-man decay was the result of being in Adam and of personal sin. The inner-man renewal was the result of the Holy Spirit in the believer.<\/p>\nOnly the believer can live according to truth. It is the privilege, blessing, and joy of the believer to perceive and evaluate life suprasensually \u2013 through the eyes of saving faith and true hope using biblical truth as his interpretive lens.<\/p>\n
Application:<\/p>\n
\n- Explain Paul\u2019s seen<\/em> \u2013 the now<\/em> and physical and his unseen<\/em> \u2013 the spiritual.<\/li>\n
- Paul is speaking of a perspective that controls thoughts, desires, and actions. What is yours?<\/li>\n
- How do you see<\/em> the unseen<\/em>?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Failing Bodies: Part IV
\n2 Corinthians 4:16-18: part C<\/h3>\n
This is the fourth in the series: God\u2019s answers for failing bodies<\/em>. The believer\u2019s body will continue to wither and decay, but his inner man is being renewed and will be completely renewed. This is not automatic and requires sanctifying and enabling grace. As part of the inner-man renewal, the believer functions as a good steward. Food and clothing are essentials of life. Some people put good hath in that category.<\/p>\nHowever, food, clothing, and good health are not the essence of life. True life \u2013 eternal life – begins in the now<\/em> as a relationship with Christ by the Holy Spirit (John 17:3; Romans 6:9-11). True life is bigger and better than the material and physical. True life is and gives the way to victory in the now<\/em>. There is a link and dependency of the physical and the spiritual because man is a whole person \u2013 physical and spiritual.<\/p>\nTrue spirituality is Holy-Spirit originated, motivated, energized, and finalized by the daily application of biblical truth. The now<\/em> becomes meaningful and even joyful when the person has eternal life \u2013 he is saved. The saved person has abundant life now<\/em> (John 10:10-11).<\/p>\nGod may or may not bless the believer\u2019s efforts by giving him a \u201cbetter\u201d body. But the believer will be blessed. He is to be more interested in inner-man renewal such that he uses his failing body as a vehicle to grow and change into Christlikeness (2 Corinthians 5:9, 14-17). This is the essence of victory. \u00a0Becoming more like Christ is necessary for sinner to be safely in the presence of God. Otherwise, he is unclean and in danger of death (Leviticus 11:44-45; 16). Jesus was the only person that the Father was well-pleased and carries His people into eternity (Matthew 3:17; 17:5; Hebrews 6:13-20; 12:1-3).<\/p>\n
Paul knew that the Holy Spirit indwells the believer and never works without, against, or for the believer. Rather, He works in and with the believer. His work is not to be misunderstood as the unbiblical saying implies: \u201clet go and let God\u201d (Philippians 2:12-13). The believer works heartily unto the Lord because God has worked in and is working in the believer.<\/p>\n
God changes the inner man at salvation (the new birth: John 3:3-8; 6:60-64; Titus 2:11-14; 3:5). As a result, the new man is a new creation re-created in the likeness of Christ in terms of knowledge, holiness, and righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 13:12-14; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:8-10).<\/p>\n
God continues His re-creative process in the believer. David broken and repentant appeals to this fact in Psalm 51:10. David used the word bara<\/em> when he asked God to create a new heart in him. David was a believer but he regarded growth in Christ as requiring the same supernatural activity as in creation (see Genesis 1) and in regeneration (Titus 3:5).<\/p>\nThe believer is directly involved in daily inner-man renewal. I repeat another important truth: One of God\u2019s instruments for change and growth in Christlikeness is the believer\u2019s proper use of his failing body. This is at the heart of God\u2019s answer for failing bodies.<\/em><\/p>\nPlease stop and ponder that truth. One mark of a renewed inner man is the believer’s changed focus – from the seen<\/em> and the now<\/em> as most important (I call this focus sinful sensual living). Sinful sensual living has the now<\/em>, self, and getting as most important. Self takes precedent; there is a self-focus and functioning idolatry. The person has reversed the Creator-creature relation and distinction.<\/p>\nThe believer\u2019s focus is on the unseen<\/em> (suprasensual living): John 7:24; 8:15; 2 Corinthians 5:7. The believer interprets himself and God\u2019s providence through biblical truth. In the gospel of John, Jesus rebuked the crowd for their lack of a correct interpretative grid. They viewed Jesus and His teaching and miracles based on what they saw without the use of biblical truth. As a result, they failed to correctly understand Jesus, His coming, themselves, and circumstances.<\/p>\nPaul, following Jesus\u2019 teachings, acknowledged God\u2019s purpose for the now<\/em>: events and circumstances (God\u2019s providence) of his life. He by relying on and applying biblical truth.<\/p>\nAs the believer grows in Christlikeness his dislike for hard times including failing bodies changes. Unpleasantness is still there and is never to be denied. Jesus and Paul didn\u2019t. But the believer, as did Jesus and Paul, sees<\/em> beyond the unpleasantness to the God of it. This true beatific vision changed Paul\u2019s response and should for the believer.<\/p>\nAs the believer acknowledges God’s good purpose in all things he will embrace and use hard times as tools for becoming more like Christ (Romans 8:28-29; 2 Corinthians 5:7, 9). Wow, you say! Yes, it is countercultural and counterintuitive. It is the result of supernatural activity begun by and continued by the Holy Spirit. It is suprasensual living. It is part of the essence of God\u2019s answers for failing bodies.<\/em><\/p>\nApplication:<\/p>\n
\n- Review 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: Paul writes as a fellow sinner but a changed one.<\/li>\n
- What three compartments does Paul express in them?<\/li>\n
- Explain using such passages as 2 Corinthians 5:7: Paul moved from a purely sensual interpretative grid to a suprasensual one to interpret the facts and his experience.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
What to do when Your Body Fails: Part V
\nGlory: Earthly and Heavenly<\/h3>\n
We continue the series: God\u2019s answers for failing Bodies. <\/em>The believer begins to live by and through the interpretative grid of God\u2019s word rather than feelings, experience, and reason divorced from God\u2019s truth. He reinterprets himself and his circumstances by the gifts of saving faith and true hope based on biblical truth. This is suprasensual living in contrast to sinful sensual living. Right living has a correct spiritual basis (1 John 3:1-3).<\/p>\nThe believer has a sensual experience such as an illness. He confidently acknowledges tough times and God\u2019s purposes for them. God\u2019s providence includes both hard and easy times. His providence is always coupled with His promise. What God brings the believer\u2019s is intended by God to be used by the believer to become more like Christ. Wow you say! I agree!<\/p>\n
The above is as universal principle that guided Paul and should all believers. It is a call to holiness (Leviticus 11:44-45; 1 P 1:16). It is a call for preparation into heaven. Therefore, Paul, trusted God and developed more and more the fruit of the Spirit in the context of his failing body (1 Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 5:1-5; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7).<\/p>\n
He was looking for victory, but victory had to be defined God\u2019s way. The believer is called to imitate Paul as he imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1). Becoming more Christ is to be a joy, blessing, privilege, and duty. Too often, the believer considers becoming more like Christ a burden and something to avoid if relief does not accompany it. Sometimes people use God to get: a better body, spouse or friend.<\/p>\n
Paul had the correct emphasis and priorities in and for life. He knew that a change in his inner man (and the fruit produced by that change) was incomparably unique and superior to relief from physical problems. Again, that statement defies human understanding. If stewardship is divorced from biblical truth, the person\u2019s is self-focused. Self takes center stage and God is ignored and only used to get. Again, these concepts are countercultural and counterintuitive.<\/p>\n
Paul focused on truth: God\u2019s answers for failing bodies<\/em>! The believer knows that things that are seen<\/em> (\u201csensed\u201d) are related to the now<\/em>; they are material, and physical and will not last. His physical body and its failure were only temporary; its end was in sight.<\/p>\nPaul did not mean that the now<\/em>: the physical and life on earth was not important. He pointed that discipline and physical training was worthwhile \u2013 of some value although limited. But godliness has value for all things beginning now<\/em> and continuing into eternity (1Timothy 4:7-8). The sensual had to be interpreted through and lived according to the suprasensual.<\/p>\nSupernaturally, Paul changed his measuring scale from the system he used as an unbeliever and an immature believer. As an unbeliever he approached life from a purely sensual perspective. Getting for self was most important as demonstrated in Philippians 3:7-11. He reckoned, counted, considered everyone as dung \u2013 trash \u2013 for the intimacy and fellowship that he had in Christ by the Holy Spirit. Again heavy theology!<\/p>\n
Feeling good about himself had been his driving force. He had distorted the true pleasure principle. Instead of enjoying God for who He is and not what He gives, he enjoyed the no<\/em>w for what he could get.<\/p>\nAt salvation there was a change in Paul from the insider out which had continued. When he wrote the Corinthians, Paul had matured spiritually. At this point, Paul proclaimed that the seen<\/em> things (the sensual: the now<\/em>, the physical and the material) weighed very little on his measuring scale (verse 17).<\/p>\nHe did not mean that the now was<\/em> unimportant (see John 4:31-34; Luke 10:38-42). Paul knew that the physical world and life in it mattered. He understood that this is his Father\u2019s world. He knew God desired and demanded a return on His investment: growing believers as prophets (truth tellers), as priests (true worshippers), and as kings (subduing God\u2019s enemies and bringing some into the kingdom).<\/p>\nEnjoying God\u2019s kingdom work \u2013 nature and its beauty \u2013 is wonderful aspect of living now<\/em>.\u00a0 Even that pales when you consider the new heavens and the earth (Revelation 21:1-8)!<\/p>\nBut as a believer especially a maturing one, Paul had a different scale, a different measuring instrument and interpretative grid! He had a suprasensual interpretative grid. The now<\/em> \u2013 life and things pertaining to it such as a functioning body \u2013were still important. The Bible encourages good stewardship and Jesus took care of His body. But Paul had a different understanding of the now.<\/em><\/p>\nThe now<\/em>, his present life and the things of it, is the stage on which the believer displays the fact that he has a piece of heaven now! Heaven came to him in the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9, 11; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 3:17-21; 2 Timothy 1:14).\u00a0 I repeat: eternal life began at salvation. The believer armed with a new relationship in Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, moves toward heaven; while on earth he develops Christlikeness which is a foretaste of heaven. \u00a0\u00a0 The believer has a proper vertical reference and eternal perspective (see my book: Endurance: What it is and How it Looks in the Believer\u2019s Life<\/em>). He has his eyes on heaven and his feet on earth as he sees clearly and walks the right path (Romans 6:9-11; Colossians 3:1-3; Hebrews 12:1-3; 1 John 3:1-3).<\/p>\nPaul thought and desired as one with \u201cone foot in heaven.\u201d He evaluated things correctly via truth as his new standard. He understood the seen<\/em> and the now<\/em>: they are temporary, material, physical, and earthly including bodily failure. Those are givens. He defined the unseen<\/em> as inner-person renewal, growth in Christlikeness, and a future with God in heaven that began on earth as part of resurrection life now (John 17:3; Romans 6:9-10). \u00a0He knew and rejoiced that inner-man renewal was a reality in this present life!<\/p>\nMoreover, he contrasted the two and found that the seen<\/em> was lightweight and the unseen<\/em> was heavyweight! The heavyweight won! It was much more valuable. However, he did not functionally divide the two. He knew that the inner and outer man were linked and each influenced the other. He remained committed to the whole person \u2013 body and soul (heart, inner man). He took care of his body for God\u2019s glory (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).<\/p>\nPaul determined that glory must be defined God\u2019s way. Glory was not to be found solely in the seen<\/em> including bodily relief. That too is temporary. However, desiring relief may be part of good stewardship which is part of the unseen<\/em>. \u00a0Taking care of the body God\u2019s way for His glory honors God, a worthwhile endeavor (See my book: How to be a God-Pleasing Patient<\/em>).<\/p>\nTrue inner-man change is a result of inner-man renewal and affects the whole person including care of the body. Only through such renewal can he or any believer look forward to being in the presence of God forever. \u00a0Inner-man renewal is a necessity. If there is no growth in Christ, the person must ask if he is a believer. This motivation directed him daily (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Colossians 3:1-3; 1 John 3:1-3). Such is God\u2019s answers for failing bodies.<\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/em>Application:<\/p>\n\n- Define Paul\u2019s view of the now and the eternal.<\/li>\n
- When he compared the two, what did he understand? Do you agree or disagree?<\/li>\n
- How does being God\u2019s kind of steward fit into God\u2019s answers for failing bodies?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
God\u2019s Answers for Failing Bodies: Part VI
\nGlory Defined<\/h3>\n
We continue the series: God\u2019s answers for failing bodies. <\/em>Glory on man\u2019s measuring scale, always for the unbeliever and sometimes for the believer, is often spelled relief. However, when Paul, and believers, uses God\u2019s measuring scale (biblical truth), he redefined glory God\u2019s way.<\/p>\nHe called hard times and his failing body momentary, temporary and light. He could only say that because he contrasted the seen<\/em> and the now<\/em> to the eternal. The seen<\/em> including a decaying body was lightweight versus the eternal which was heavyweight. Being in God\u2019s presence motivated Paul as it did David (Philippians 3:7-11; Psalm 34:8)!<\/p>\nHe followed Christ\u2019s example (Hebrews 12:1-3). Paul did not minimize or make light of trouble. If he did, he would have cast doubt on Christ’s perfect active obedience. Christ never doubted His call to covenantal faithfulness and the magnitude of the pressure to do otherwise. \u00a0 Hard times occur for both believer and unbeliever. Only the believer views them correctly. Hard times do not produce inner-man renewal. They are only the context. Rather responding in and to them as a God-pleaser is the key for victory. Paul, and the believer, could only do that if he compared and contrasted the now<\/em> and the seen<\/em> to the eternal and the invisible.<\/p>\nGrowth in Christlikeness now<\/em> pointed him heavenward. Paul was able to define glory differently. He had a piece of glory and heaven at salvation. Glory weighed much more on the scale than the cessation of or relief from physical problems. Again this is counterintuitive! It can be understood only through grace.<\/p>\nThe believer is to follow Paul\u2019s and Christ\u2019s example! God\u2019s glory is continually manifested as the believer developed more Christlikeness. Paul brought the present<\/em> \u2013 the now<\/em> – into proper perspective.<\/p>\nThe ultimate hard time is demonstrated in and at the cross. The agony of being considered sin and sinner and yet being truly God and truly perfect man is mind-boggling. Jesus demonstrated the proper perspective. He lived in the now<\/em> as He looked ahead to heaven (the eternal). His specific grid was the cross (Hebrews 12:1-3). Jesus had a proper view of the now<\/em> because He had a proper vertical reference and eternal perspective which He imparts to every believer by virtue of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\nPaul was sustained not by a desire for a new body (even though he looked forward to receiving his resurrected, glorified body: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Philippians 3:21). Rather, he was sustained and he sustained himself by the focusing on the unseen<\/em> which he \u201csaw\u201d and understood only with the eyes of saving faith and true hope. Paul lived suprasensually as did Jesus. \u00a0Jesus and Paul did not live the lie.<\/p>\nPaul did not let his physical limitations discourage him. He did not depress himself (2 Corinthians 1:8-10; 4:8-10: see my website post: Was Jesus Depressed: jimhalla.com). Rather, he used the hard times and encouraged believers to do the same! He was excited by what was happening to him in the inner man! Inner-man renewal was more important than relief.<\/p>\n
He knew that inner-man renewal was not automatic or easy. Old habits of self-pleasing in terms of thoughts, desires, and actions change slowly. He also knew that he was saved to a life of godliness through disciplining himself (1 Timothy 4:7-8; 2 Peter 3:18).<\/p>\n
Paul began more and more to think, desire, and function more like Christ as a God-pleaser in place of self-pleasing and self-interest. He had to put off self-pleasing and self-dependence and put on Christlikeness. His relationship with Christ meant something!<\/p>\n
He knew that a proper view of the now<\/em> and the unseen<\/em> produced a mindset and lifestyle that had eternal dividends. Those dividends were not limited to eternity. Life now and in the now<\/em> was simplified even though his physical problems may not vanish and even increase!<\/p>\nPaul was growing in Christlikeness; he was running the race \u2013 conducting himself – God’s way; and he looked forward to the finish line (Hebrews 12:1-3; \u00a01 Timothy 4:7-8; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; James 1:12). The changes in Paul\u2019s thoughts, desires, and actions imitated Christ. Both focused on pleasing God, Christ perfectly and Paul imperfectly, and were willing and privileged to use hard times to develop fear of the Lord. Such are God\u2019s answers for failing bodies!<\/em><\/p>\nConsider. Paul experienced a continuous foretaste of life in heaven \u2013 pleasing God and enjoying Him. He wanted more of that (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Philippians 3:7-11).\u00a0 He knew the trouble was the context, the classroom, and the crucible for him to develop as a God-pleaser. This growth pointed to temporal and eternal realities: the reality of saving and sanctifying grace now and the joy of the eternal reality of being in God\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n
He also knew eternal life and resurrection life had begun on earth! Paul knew that becoming more like Christ was to his benefit because it was for the praise and glory of Christ now and eternally (Romans 8:28-29). Paul lived in the now<\/em> but not for the now<\/em>. Rather he looked forward to heaven and was able to please God out of privilege and blessing (Philippians 1:19-21; 1 John 3:1-3; 5:3-4).<\/p>\nApplication:<\/p>\n
\n- Paul was tempted to live the lie, but he did not. Define the lie and give reasons he did not.<\/li>\n
- How did Paul imitate Christ?<\/li>\n
- How do you imitate Christ and Paul in terms of a failing body? Give reasons and results.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
God\u2019s Answers for Failing Bodies: Part VII
\nWhat to Do when Your Body Fails, part A
\n2 Corinthians 12:7-10<\/h3>\n
We continue the series: God\u2019s answers for failing bodies. Paul opened chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians by declaring that he knew how to handle the various pressures of life which are God\u2019s providence (4:1-15). In 2 Corinthians 4:1, Paul wrote: \u201cTherefore since we have this service to perform as the result of God\u2019s mercy, we don\u2019t give up.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nThe word translated \u201cgive up\u201d was also used in verse 16 (also see Luke 18:1; Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:13). It means \u201cto be faint hearted and fearful, to pull back, to lose courage, to be cowardly.\u201d Jesus gives this same command when He says to various people: to take courage, take heart, and cheer up (Matthew 9:2, 22; 14:27; Mark 6:50; 10:49; Luke 8:48; John 16:33; Acts 23:11).\u00a0 Paul is saying that when believers imitate Christ, they are strong-hearted due to the work of the Holy Spirit. Suprasensual living always trumps sinful sensual living.<\/p>\n
The introduction in verse 1 paved the way for verses 16-18 (see previous blogs). What was Paul\u2019s secret and God\u2019s superior answer for failing bodies and handling difficult circumstances?<\/p>\n
One was gratitude (Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Paul was no coward. He was strong-hearted! He was intensely grateful for three things:<\/p>\n
\n- God and His mercy: Paul was saved. God was exceedingly merciful and demonstrated His mercy by saving him (1 Timothy 1:12-16).<\/li>\n
- God and His covenantal faithfulness: God entrusted Paul with a task to do – ministry. Paul knew God would not leave or forsake him, His yes was yes in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20-22).<\/li>\n
- God and His provision: God continually enabled him to accomplish the task through His grace (1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 5:9, 14-17; 8:9; 9:8).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
One of the greatest, ongoing joys and contentment in Paul\u2019s life was the renewal of his inner man. The term is cumbersome but it is not to be a hidden truth! Inner\u2013man renewal was manifested by imitating Christ and pleasing the Father. Unless you have the mind of Christ, you will not comprehend that truth (1 Corinthians 2:16). Even then, it is grace upon grace that enables believers to understand, to apply, and to grow. As they do, God is glorified. If He is not glorified, He would not be God!<\/p>\n
Paul was satisfied and encouraged. His renewal was evidenced by changed thoughts, desires, and actions daily and a different pattern of life. It was active and visible. There are to be no silent Christians!<\/p>\n
Paul knew he was saved. Salvation refers to the Holy Spirit\u2019s initial work in the inner man (John 3:3-8; 6:60-64). Paul was just as excited and grateful that God\u2019s Spirit was continuing to work effecting inward, spiritual renewal. Paul was forever indebted to God. Therefore, he carried on his God-given tasks out of reverence and gratitude for what he was in Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Timothy 1:12-16). \u00a0He lived suprasensually.<\/p>\n
Later in the second letter to the Corinthians, we read that Paul had a clear vision of what life was all about. One would think that the removal of his aches and pains would have enabled Paul to do a better<\/em> job. But that is not the way God viewed it as Paul makes clear in 12:7-10:<\/p>\nv.7: To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet my body.<\/em>
\nv.8: Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.<\/em>
\nv.9: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”\u00a0 Therefore I will boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.<\/em>
\nv.10:\u00a0 That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in my weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak then I am strong.<\/em><\/p>\nPaul wrote that God wanted to prevent sin (pride) in him (verse 7). This seems so counterintuitive and countercultural especially today. Actually, it is a supreme display of love and mercy! It is one of the lessons of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)!<\/p>\n
Even more astounding is the reality of God\u2019s instrument for accomplishing that purpose. God accomplished His plan by afflicting Paul with a specific physical problem \u2013 a thorn in the flesh (verse 7). In response, Paul prayed, asking for relief, but God\u2019s answer was \u201cno\u201d (verses 8-9). We are not sure what the physical malady was; apparently God did not want us to know.<\/p>\n
Wow, you are probably saying. That is God\u2019s answers for failing bodies<\/em>! God\u2019s answer is startling enough, but God\u2019s explanation is even more startling as given in verse 9: My grace is sufficient for you<\/em>. God says, in essence, that it was good for Paul to be in a situation where his own resources were insufficient for him to find relief or to remove him from it.<\/p>\nPaul was faced with a dilemma and choice: does God really know best for me? Who would Paul trust: self or God (Joshua 24:14-15; 1 Corinthians 1:8-10; 4:8-10)? \u00a0Paul was facing the true definition of the pleasure principle and the contrast between sensual and suprasensual living.<\/p>\n
Application:<\/p>\n
\n- When are you tempted to give in give up?<\/li>\n
- What is your response?<\/li>\n
- What was Paul\u2019s response?<\/li>\n
- Study 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 4:8-10. 12:7-10: record the main message and give reasons why you agree or disagree.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
God\u2019s Answers for Failing Bodies: Part VIII
\nWhat to Do when Your Body Fails, part B
\n2 Corinthians 12:7-10<\/h3>\n
We continued the series of God\u2019s answers for failing bodies<\/em>. A closer look at 2 Corinthians is in order. Paul, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, did not quench, offend, or resist the Spirit and His influence (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Rather, he relied on God\u2019s more-than-sufficient grace and power (see Proverbs 3:5-8; 2 Corinthians 1:8-10).<\/p>\nv.7: To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet my body.<\/em>
\nv.8: Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.<\/em>
\nv.9: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”\u00a0 Therefore I will boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.<\/em>
\nv.10:\u00a0 That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in my weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak then I am strong.<\/em><\/p>\nPaul learned the inexhaustible truth of the inexhaustible God. God never stops being God and holding His people to Himself. Circumstances and feelings may suggest otherwise, but feelings and circumstances never trump God\u2019s presence, promises, plan, purpose, power, and provisions.<\/p>\n
Moreover, Paul\u2019s endurance and daily effort were to be a living demonstration of God\u2019s power in him. That is profound! That is part of God\u2019s answers for failing<\/em> bodies (Again see my book: Endurance: What It is and How It Looks In a Believer’s Life).<\/em><\/p>\nThe Holy Spirit was not finished! If what had gone before as recorded in verse 7-9 is startling enough, the Spirit intensifies and personalizes the intensity of the Triune God’s wisdom and goodness. Paul’s response fits even more all that is startling. He understood and accepted God\u2019s response of \u201cno\u201d (2 Corinthians 12:10).<\/p>\n
We have already acknowledged that Paul coveted the renewal of his inner man (unseen<\/em>) over against body renewal (seen<\/em> and now<\/em>) on this earth. Inner-man renewal does not wait for heaven. Physical, body renewal does!<\/p>\nAs a result of his proper understanding of God and the Spirit\u2019s work in the believer, Paul did not complain about God\u2019s method for producing his inner-man renewal. He acknowledged and accepted his responsibility in that renewal.<\/p>\n
What were Paul\u2019s response to God\u2019s no and His explanation? Paul said that he rejoiced in his bodily problems and experiences. Wow! Let me be clear. He was no Stoic or masochist. He did not enjoy the discomfort and unpleasantness.<\/p>\n
But he lived suprasensually via saving faith and true hope. Therefore he understood and embraced God’s purpose, His wisdom and His goodness. Such is how the phrase God\u2019s answers for failing bodies <\/em>is to be understood. Therefore, Paul looked beyond the circumstances to the God of \u201clife\u201d \u2013 his circumstances. As with Jesus, the eternal controlled Paul\u2019s response to the present.<\/p>\nApplication:<\/p>\n
\n- Do you think 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 is real? Do you think God is like that? Do you think a person could respond as Paul did?<\/li>\n
- Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10: how does it remind you of Christ?<\/li>\n
- What was God\u2019s purpose for Paul and believers in every age?<\/li>\n
- Did Jesus receive an answer that resembled the answer to Paul?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
God\u2019s Answers for Failing Bodies: Part IX
\nThe Pain and the Gain, part A<\/h4>\n
We continue the series God\u2019s answers for failing bodies<\/em>. You might think that Paul would have preferred to grow in Christlikeness without so much hardship. But that is not what he says in verse 10: That is why for Christ\u2019s sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak then I am strong. <\/em><\/p>\nThe word translated delight carries the idea of thinking well and taking pleasure in. It involves thinking which controls wants and actions. In fact, Paul longed for those situations because he looked forward to the gain not the pain! He redefined the pleasure principle!<\/p>\n
Please do not miss that point! The gain \u2013 using the situations for growth in Christ \u2013flowed from a right response in and to them. A right response involved changed thinking and wanting about himself and God. A right response was a right response to God! This is heavy theology.<\/p>\n
Remember that the biblical concept of gain through pain is played out in everyday life. The pregnant mom is ready for labor and all its discomfort. She understands that without pain there is no gain \u2013 a baby! Similarly, an athlete looks forward to the \u201cburn\u201d \u2013 achy muscles that are associated with strength-producing workouts. He knows that no pain, no gain!<\/p>\n
Jesus the example of pain and gain in John 16:20-22. The night before He died he was ministering to the apostles. He understood that they were still \u201cbehind: in their understanding of what was transpiring. Jesus used the example of the women in labor and pain. She looked forward to the delivery. The apostles understood the cross as the way of losers. They were grieved. Jesus told them that their grief would be replaced by joy post-resurrection (Luke 24:36-53; John 20:19-31).<\/p>\n
The gain he sought was a result of and evidence of inner-man renewal. The change could be seen \u2013 a sensual experience. Paul saw Jesus and Paul speaking truth in love and carry for people both physical and materially and spiritually. Paul progressed in becoming more like Christ when relief was beyond his power – when he was weak \u2013 forcing him to rely on God. He considered himself as a conqueror in Christ (Romans 8:35-39). Relationships, identities, and truth matter!<\/p>\n
He gave the same truth in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 and 4:8-10. His situation happened that we might not rely on ourselves but God <\/em>(1:9) and they were hard-pressed on every side but not crushed perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed <\/em>(1:8). God\u2019s grace is shown most clearly when our own resources are depleted. We are then forced to at least our relationship with Him if we are believers. The unbeliever has no such privilege and resource!<\/p>\nAll people including believers at times live as if they are in control. People at heart are choosers and controllers. They want to avoid or to have. Therefore, all people face the living God with the choice between pleasing self or pleasing God (Joshua 24:14-15). Control junkies are God-competitors<\/em>.<\/p>\nJesus demonstrated how choosing to please God was the only way to truly please self. This is the definition of the true pleasure principle. Jesus chose to please the Triune God thereby pleasing Himself. Choosing and pleasing are relational issues. The Son so valued His relationship with the Father that pleasing Him glorified the Triune God and the Son was pleased in the giving and the getting.\u00a0 The unbeliever I satisfied with his relationship with himself. Self is the one to honor and cherish!<\/p>\n
God forces believers to come face to face with Him in His providence which as I have said, the culture misrepresents and calls it life<\/em>. God brings people face to face with Him – His power, wisdom, goodness, beauty, and majesty. As the believer matures spiritually, he will be awed and enjoy Him even in tough times. The only other response is to reject God by rejecting His ways and timing. The person has one goal: relief and removal from the situation. He does not have time to grow!<\/p>\nJob was introduced to God in a completely different way than he supposed and proposed (Job 38-42). Only when God brought him into His presence did Job logically and joyfully repent of demanding from God. Job, a man after God\u2019s own heart (Job 1-2) was a changed man! Such is our God and His wisdom: God\u2019s answers for failing bodies.<\/em><\/p>\nPaul understood his purpose on earth: to bring glory to God. He could do that best when he was weak \u2013 without his own resources to relieve burdens. This, too, is counterintuitive and countercultural. Yet it is the way of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). The way up is the way down! The way out of trouble is to stay in it God\u2019s way for His glory and the believer\u2019s growth. Only God knows and has ordained the appropriate amount of time for any situation.<\/p>\n
Paul could not remove his physical problems. Nor could he avoid the insults, the persecutions, and the difficulties mentioned in various chapters (2 Corinthians 4, 6, 11). Hardships unrelated to your sin are part of the effects of choosing to please God (John 15:18-21; 2 Timothy 3:12). Of course, God could have removed him from all the hard providences or not put him in them. Instead, God provided grace in them.<\/p>\n
Paul’s response in them and to them was a response to God. He lived out truth. Proper thinking and wanting led to proper action. These changes and responses were a testimony to the greatness of God’s grace. It is a source of true hope and comfort for believers in all ages. Such it is for God\u2019s answers for failing bodies. <\/em><\/p>\nApplication:<\/p>\n
\n- What is the principle of gain through pain?<\/li>\n
- How is this principle played out in daily life?<\/li>\n
- How is the cross the ultimate expression of no pain, no gain? See 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-17.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
God\u2019s Answers for Failing Bodies: Part X
\nThe Pain and the Gain, part B<\/h4>\n
We continue the series God\u2019s answers for failing bodies<\/em>. Many with a failing body perceive their life as a drudgery, a \u201cbummer,\u201d a black hole, and or bondage. The person may desire to escape in some form or fashion. He may try to \u201cpunch out of life.\u201d Sometimes people become couch potatoes. At other times, people spend an enormous time looking for relief in all kinds of places.<\/p>\nThe person may speak of being \u201cbeyond his resources.\u201d He might even petition God for relief as Paul did. He may say that God\u2019s no simply means he has to pray harder and longer! The person refuses to acknowledge let alone understand that God has him right where He wants him.<\/p>\n
When the goal for and the pursuit of relief is all-encompassing, the person is living by the pleasure principle. Sinful sensual living is a circular, never-ending path even if the desire for relief is not communicated in so many words. This, too, is countercultural and counterintuitive!<\/p>\n
This was Paul\u2019s position. Paul knew it and he knew God had him right where God wanted him! Even though Paul as an unbeliever was a self-pleaser by nature, Paul\u2019s nature had been changed \u2013he was saved?! Therefore, Paul did not live the lie. Rather, he responded as a God-pleaser (2 Corinthians 5:7, 9-15; Philippians 3:3-6, 7-11).<\/p>\n
The believer\u2019s orientation is in principle away from self and toward God. The change is a result of the Holy Spirit indwelling and activity \u2013 inner-man renewal! The change in thoughts and desires make all the difference. Paul rejoiced in God and in His mercy and grace.<\/p>\n
Paul kept going because of his thankfulness and eternal perspective. He did not live for<\/u> the now<\/em> but for<\/u> eternity in<\/u> the now<\/em>. He lived in<\/u> the now<\/em> as a steppingstone into eternity! The road to eternal life had started at salvation. He was living resurrection life in the now,<\/em> because he was joined to Christ and more importantly Christ to him (John 17:3; Romans 6:9-11; 1 John 3:1-3). Paul endured in his discomforts. Endurance is an active process. He remained faithful by using the hard times and failing body as a tool and vehicle for growth in Christ. He valued the spiritual growth that resulted. Becoming more like Christ was his prime motivation to glorify his God. Such is God\u2019s answers for failing bodies!\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\nSome may say that Paul was an optimistic and hopeful person. The culture uses those terms and often stripped them of biblical truth. Paul was eternally optimistic:<\/p>\n
\n- He had his eyes fixed on the eternal while in the