II Corinthians 8-13;
Acts 20:2-3a
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. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
II Corinthians 12:9-10
Feeling strong and capable, confident that you have within yourself what it takes to do a job for Jesus? You may indeed do well. You might impress the audience and get plenty of accolades. Aware of your own inadequacies, weaknesses, and struggles? Wondering how you’ll get it all done? Perfect! Now we’ll all know that it isn’t really you, but Christ’s power at work in you. And that, my friend, is much better!
That is not to say that we should not put our strengths and talents to good use for the kingdom. Of course we should, just as Paul clearly does. But we should not be discouraged by our weaknesses and shortcomings, either. We should instead view our weaknesses as opportunities for the Lord to be glorified. As Paul says in II Cor. 4:7, we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. Let’s be clear about what is clay and what is treasure.
My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.
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