Gospel Wednesday: 2 Corinthians Chapter 12: Suffering
2 Corinthians Chapter 12
It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong! Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps? Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.
II Corinthians 12:1-21 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.12.1-21.NKJV
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.12.9.NKJV
The Gospel in a nutshell
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.15.1-4.KJV
1. Hear
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.10.17.KJV
2. Believe
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
John 8:24 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.8.24.KJV
3. Repent
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:3 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.13.3.KJV
4. Confess
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.10.32.KJV
5. Be baptized
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mark 16:16 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.16.16.KJV
6. Remain faithful
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 2:10 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.2.10.KJV
For more information on obeying the Gospel contact your local church of Christ.
Baptism
Why Are There So Many Churches?
What Must I Do To Be Saved?
https://westpalmbeachchurchofchrist.com/2-corinthians/thorn-in-the-flesh.html
It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong! Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps? Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.
II Corinthians 12:1-21 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.12.1-21.NKJV
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.12.9.NKJV
God gives us strength in our trials. In hard times. Suffering can lead to greater faith, a closer relationship with God, greater dependence upon Him if we will only let it.
Suffering can be used to rid us of all pride and self suffeincy . Suffering should open our eyes to the fraility of our human existence, and to the awesome power and suffeincy of God Himself. May we never let suffering make us bitter, but better Christians as a whole as we learn to fully trust and depend upon Jehovah God. And, as we lean upon God, and not our own understanding, (Proverbs 3:5) we will have that peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
If you have not obeyed the Gospel, that you may have this peace, then please obey today before it's everlasting too late.
The Gospel in a nutshell
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.15.1-4.KJV
1. Hear
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.10.17.KJV
2. Believe
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
John 8:24 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.8.24.KJV
3. Repent
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:3 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.13.3.KJV
4. Confess
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.10.32.KJV
5. Be baptized
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mark 16:16 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.16.16.KJV
6. Remain faithful
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 2:10 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.2.10.KJV
For more information on obeying the Gospel contact your local church of Christ.
Baptism
Why Are There So Many Churches?
What Must I Do To Be Saved?
https://westpalmbeachchurchofchrist.com/2-corinthians/thorn-in-the-flesh.html
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