“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.” 2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV
Reflection: while we are in the flesh, is it possible to be free of sin?
Most religions aim at the betterment of self by following a set of rules. The goal of pleasing God by doing good. In and of itself, that is a good thing, right? To do good, and to continually strive to do better. Even to strive for perfection. In this pursuit, some have disconnected from the world, such as becoming a monk. According to Wikipedia, “A monk is a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery, dedicating his life to prayer, contemplation, and spiritual practices. Monks often renounce worldly pursuits and live simply, following specific rules and vows depending on their religious tradition.” Since many have tried this throughout history, has it ever worked?
Paul famously wrote “For when I am weak, then I am strong” 2 Corinthians 12:10b ESV, which might be one of the greatest paradoxes of Christian living. We desire to be more and more like Christ, called to be holy in all our conduct as our Father is holy; yet, we find ourselves struggling in and with our flesh. The closer we seem to get, the more we discover about our own shortcomings, our own weaknesses. Or said in another way, the closer we get to the perfect and full light of Christ, the more we discover in ourselves as he lights up things we need and want to shed. It is a continuous journey, a humbling struggle, in many ways. Now, the paradox Paul discovered was that it was only in this very place of humility, when understanding and knowing full well the weaknesses in ourselves, the power of Christ can be realized. In this place, the Lord told Paul that he had found the place where only Christ could be magnified,
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV. The power of God made perfect in our weakness is the realization that we, in our flesh, can never reach perfection, however much we strive for it. In fact, quite the opposite. It is knowing that only through Christ can we approach and enter the presence of God. It is the place where we have to rely on Christ alone.
But, if it all depends on God, why even try?
Why fight against our flesh if we can never achieve perfection? Because, the world we live in, in the flesh, is enemy territory, where we are separated from God. And without the freedom in Christ, we remain slaves to the flesh. To the sin which is in the flesh. But when we receive Christ atonement for our sin, we are “born again” by God, spiritually speaking, and given the Spirit of God. And once that happens, we feel the battle of the flesh versus the Spirit. Paul writes “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:20-23 ESV
Paul realized that, although he strived to be more and more like Christ, the fullness of Christ in him could only happen through emptying of himself, through humility, through acknowledging his own weaknesses. Which is why mature Christians, who have walked with Christ perhaps a lifetime, often become more and more humble in themselves. For, they too, have realized that, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a ESV.
James wrote “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”James 4:10 ESV, the paradox of Christianity.