2 CORINTHIANS 12

Heart Issues
I don’t always lead people to repentance although that is such a vital part of their Christian lives. They cannot walk in the Spirit if they have sin short-circuiting their relationship with God and what He wants to do in and through them. Paul cares for the Corinthians deeply and wants them to not only follow him or support him, but he is coming that they may give themselves to him. He wants their hearts and their allegiance not because Paul is great, but because God has called him as a father to them. The thorn topic is close to my heart although I will not even begin to attribute my struggles with Paul. He went through far more and when he says thorn I am sure there was great pain and anguish through the thorn that kept him humble. I want to boast in the Lord as well and not in myself. I need to become weaker and allow Christ to become greater. This is so tough in our culture of today (and has always been, may we never make our culture the hardest of all). There are so many youth groups and ministries that vie for students that I feel the need to have bigger and better sometimes. This is focusing on my adequacy and not in the Lord’s ability. I want to hold, even the students I lead with an open hand that the Lord can do whatever He wants with them. I also am thankful for Jesus humbling me through the process of my ACL recovery and through my various health issues.

Notes
-There seems to be room for boasting of others as long as you are not exalting yourself through boasting of others. I know a lot of people that think they’re “somebody” because of someone they know or are acquainted with. Paul does not want to go on boasting in himself, but wants people to only think of him by what he says and does. He would be fully in the right, because he is telling the truth, but he recognizes that the Lord does not want him to become conceited.
-The thorn in the flesh is such a rich concept. God did not want him to become arrogant so he gave him a tormenter. I wonder if God is doing the same with the pastors of mega-churches who can easily become conceited, or has my thorn been my knee and my stomach issues. Thank you God for showing me dependence upon you and not myself as I have walked through physical and health struggles. God knows that He deserves the glory and not the vessel that He is using to get the work done. When I am weak, then I am strong. This phrase sums up so much in the Christian life. The spirit filled life hinges upon this concept. It is not about our strength, but the letting go of ourselves in walking with God, and Him receiving glory from our lives.
-Paul here refutes his accusers that have said that he caught them and used them by his trickery. He goes on to show that he never exploited them or used them for His means. He or his followers were never a burden to the Corinthians.
-Paul closes this chapter by expressing his concerns with the Galatians and with a reasoning for all of his boasting and commendations. He hopes that his struggles and ministry may encourage them to go beyond their past or possibly current way of life and to follow closely after the Lord. He fears that they still may be struggling with the deeds of the flesh. If we are to lead others, we are to lead others toward repentance in following God.