A THORN IN THE FLESH – PART FIVE
Saturday – March 3, 2018
Glory to God for His wonderful Word, His ways do not need to be a mystery to those diligent to study His Word. I applaud those of you who are pressing into the Word of God, the pure Word of God, pressing into what Scripture actually says. Faith does not come by accident, it comes with much diligence, it comes with the knowing that the Word of God has a value beyond measure and you are determined to treat it accordingly. Let us review our primary text for this study and then we will move on in our study.
2 Corinthians 12:6-10 (KJV)
6 For 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.
7 And 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.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And 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.
10 Therefore 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.
The Lord has impressed me that the understanding of the preceding passage does not start with this passage it starts in the full counsel of God. It starts with an understanding of God’s will for mankind from the very beginning. God changes not. We must understand who Adam was and what his capabilities were, and what Jesus has restored after man chose a lie over the Truth entering into sin and loosing the curse. Jesus is the last Adam (1 Cor 15:45), we are new creations in Christ Jesus. The difference between us and Adam is that we are in Christ Jesus, we have a safety net, we are not subject to the law of sin and immediate spiritual death. Jesus is able to keep us from falling however that is not just automatic, we must be attuned to Him.
God gave all authority over both the physical and the spiritual in the earth to man. God retained no authority in the earth. God gave Adam unlimited power by way of the Blessing (Holy Spirit) to backup the authority and accomplish the seven mandates set forth. With sin man plunged into darkness, the Holy Spirit could no longer live in a dead spiritual man, and the weak natural authority of man was manipulated by Satan and that is how the devil rules. Jesus got it all back and more (we are in Christ Jesus).
Jesus is our primary example so now let’s look at how Jesus operated in the earth. As we have discussed, Jesus operated as a man, a Holy Spirit baptized man in His earthly ministry. Jesus did not have a magic button He could push to become God in moment if He got in a tight spot. Being restored as God was not possible until the will of God was done, until His mission was accomplished which was going to the Cross and destroying the works of the devil. Let us meditate on the following Scriptures asking the Holy Spirit, our primary Teacher, to help us understand all that is written.
John 14:12 (KJV)
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Notice that these words are in red indicating they are a quote from Jesus. Jesus said that if we would believe on Him we shall do all that is recorded in His ministry and greater things. The word “believe” has to do with faith, being fully committed with no room for doubt or unbelief. Let’s take a look at the Amplified Bible.
John 14:12 (AMP)
12 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.
Now, before we run to our favorite theologian or Commentary to confuse us, destroying our faith, let’s just read the Word of God. Now, who is going to do the same works that Jesus did? According to Scripture, those who steadfastly believe Him. Who is going to do the greater things? Those who steadfastly believe Him. I understand that none of us likely heard this at Church lately or at all but please focus on the Word of God. What about the next two Scriptures which so far constitutes three separate witnesses to establish this Truth.
Matthew 10:24-25 (KJV)
24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Luke 6:40 (KJV)
40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
Again, these Scriptures are a quote from the Master, now our Lord. Are you and I His disciples? Seems to me these Scriptures tell us that we will never exceed Christ but with diligence we can be just like Christ. We can do whatever He did in the earth and we can do the greater things as mentioned in John 14:12. I will not be dealing with the greater things but you can find them in Isaiah 61 following where Jesus stopped reading in Luke four. Okay, let’s move forward. I sure hope that all of us are receiving this and putting it in the highest place in our thinking.
1 John 4:17 (KJV)
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
As we read Scripture and come across the word “love” we must be careful to interpret that as Scripture interprets love and not as the world has taught us. Love is obedience to the Word, love is a life of selflessness, and love is adherence to the Blood Covenant. Now look at the preceding Scripture and focus on the phrase; “because as he is, so are we in this world.” This is not at some theological future time, this is right now, its reality is founded on our perfected or mature love. If we are walking in Bible love we can come boldly before our Savior, our Lord, and our High Priest on the Day of Judgment. Just think about how Jesus is in Heaven at this moment. Do we dare believe that we can be as He is right now in the earth? Moving on to our conclusion for today.
Mark 16:17-20 (KJV)
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Again, lots of red words, Jesus speaking to us. Signs will follow those who believe, no signs no believing. Jesus did not say that signs would follow Him in the earth, after all He is in Heaven, we are in the earth and equipped just as He was and is. Notice the pattern of telling the good news and then the good news is confirmed. We must go, we must believe, those who are to receive must believe, the Anointing is upon us, that Anointing is activated by faith and there will be signs. Each of us must ask ourselves if our lives look like this, does our Church look like this, and if the answer is no why do we linger in unbelief?
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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