i am nothing
1It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6For 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.
7And 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.
8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9And 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.
10Therefore 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.
11I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
13For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
14Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
16But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
17Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
18I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
19Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
20For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
21And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed
2Corinthians12
If any man thinks he knows God, let him humble himself again.
As Christians, we are blessed with the Grace of God, and wonderful mysteries are revealed to us. Mysteries of Love and Hope and Truth. The nature of the world for what it is is unveiled to us. We can see clearly how upside down things are. This is a great privilege that we are blessed with, undeservedly.
The trap for most of us is taking this blessing and exalting ourselves above everyone else. This trap is mitigated by sin. As Christians we are not exempt from sin, the great mirror, which reminds us each and everyday how feeble and weak we are.
7And 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.
This then answers the question of sin that troubles us belivers. If I have declared for Christ, why then does sin still have a place in my life? Why do I fall? Have I failed? Everything happens for the greater Glory of God, and in our weakness and sin is no exception, lest we boast of ourselves and not of God.
9And 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.
The only difference between a Christian and a non-believer is faith, granted to us by Grace from the Father.
This faith means that we have redemption through the Son, the kinsman redeemer, who provides cleansing for this sin that humbles us, if we believe and repent.
21And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed
I found something recently in Exodus while sharing the word with a dear friend that made this even clearer for me. (of course there are plenty of snippets in The Word that reinforce the doctrine of Faith, this is just one of them);
…and will be gracious to whom I willl be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. Exodus33:19
A Christian, lifted up by the Grace of the Almighty God, must throw himself down in humility and awe of the Love of God, lavished undeservedly upon us. All over the Bible it is reapeated that the last shall come first and the first shall come first.
11I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
i am nothing.
