THE MIND OF CHRIST

"For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE SHOULD INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:11-16, NASB).

Devotion 21 of 28

THE POWER OF CHRIST EXPERIENCED

      Being called to be the Apostle to the Gentiles, and being a prodigious laborer for His Lord, it concerned Paul when he was "given a thorn in the flesh." It was given to him by God, but delivered by Satan, and is therefore called "a messenger of Satan" (2 Cor 12:7). God gave him the thorn because of "the abundance of the revelations" that had been given to him. The "thorn" kept him from being "exalted above measure." Among other things, that explains why some people rarely have any difficulties in the flesh. They are probably not apt to be exalted above measure because of the limited insight they have received. However, this was not the way it was with Paul. He had been given so much from the Lord that he was also given a sort of handicap to keep him relying on the Lord. Satan used the thorn to buffet, harass, and pummel Paul. God used it to teach him, and open the door to greater power.

      Paul tells us he besought the Lord "three times about this, that it should leave me" (v 8). Some have foolishly conjectured the "thorn" was some secret sin -- the Lord rebuke them! Others, because of their flawed theology, imagine that it could not have been some physical debilitation. Their doctrine does not allow for such things. But Paul was not straitened by such theologies. Three times he asked the Lord to remove this "thorn." I gather this was not merely three prayers, but three seasons of prayer. The "thorn" seemed to be an inhibition, interfering with his ministry.

      After three times, Jesus spoke to him about the matter. He did not go into an elaborate explanation of the "thorn." He did not consent to its removal either. He did, however, unveil its purpose, and how it was not a detriment at all.

    "And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'" The grace of Christ is equal to any occasion, and is actually accented by human debility. The wonderful thing about grace is that the Lord "gives more grace" (James 4:6). There is no revealed limit that can be reached in the reception of grace. It is really all that is needed. It is sufficient, and makes the redeemed sufficient. As Paul said elsewhere, "our sufficiency is of God" (2 Cor 3:5).

      By saying His strength is perfected in weakness, the Lord means human weakness actually becomes the occasion for Him to work. It would be easy enough for an impotent man at the pool of Bethesda to understand this. Jesus told him to pick up his bed and walk. A woman who had been bowed over with the spirit of infirmity for eighteen long years could certainly receive that saying. Jesus told her to stand up straight. And a man with a withered hand was told to stretch it out. That is Divine strength being perfected in weakness!

      Once Paul saw this, he responded with spiritual insight and zeal. "Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me" (2 Cor 12:9 NASB). If you are ever prone to marvel at the remarkable spiritual exploits of Paul, remember his response to the thorn that was given to him. It will clear the matter up for you.

    The "power of Christ" is associated with thought. It is not coercive power, nor does it operate within the believer independently of volition and personal involvement. If this is not the case, we have Divine power sustaining us without the interplay of the regenerated spirit--something even surface-reasoning compels us to deny.

    The "power of Christ" does not rely upon human initiative, but works in concert with it. Second only to the heart, one of our chief assets, when kept by Divine power, is that of a sanctified mind. That power enables us to maintain Divine perspective under great stress. The human spirit is sustained primarily through spiritual understanding, or faith. Such things as "contentment," "peace," and "joy" are all realized in the thoughts of our heart and mind. They are evidence of Divine "power," and are an aspect of "the mind of Christ."

    We possess the "power of Christ" when we have His mind. This is what really happened when Jesus answered Paul's prayer. He gave Paul HIS mind on the matter. That power is for the edification of God's people, as well as our own spiritual stability. I will go so far as to say, the individual who lacks "the mind of Christ" also lacks spiritual power. In fact, such are spiritually impotent. We possess spiritual power ONLY to the degree that our thoughts are in accord with the Lord Jesus Christ!  That goes for kingdom pleasantries as well as "thorns."

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ I thank You for revealing my weakness is an occasion for Your power to work in me!

-- Tomorrow: LOADED EVERY DAY --