The Web Warrior

2 Corinthians 12:7-8 (NIV)
7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Physical or mental illness, emotional struggles or financial difficulties are some possible forms of “thorn in my flesh”. Being a follower of Christ is not that easy. We all run the race. Despite of countless falls, we still keep on getting up and continue running the race to get the prize (yes it’s heaven and meeting our Creator).

The more we know Christ, the more we are willing to be changed. Of course we want God’s holiness and righteousness in our lives. But how about those “thorns in our flesh”? We can’t ask God to remove them so that we will be blameless and perfect in His sight or let people know that we are true followers of Christ.

Let’s not make “thorn in my flesh” personal excuse to think it’s impossible for us to live like Christ. Always pray and remember that God is our strength during our weaknesses. We can’t survive on our own ways and run away from God. “Thorn in my flesh” is part of our lives so let’s face it with God’s help and be an encouragement for those who are also struggling on their weaknesses.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NIV)
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

Can we equate spiritual gifts and salvation? There are some Christians base their spiritual levels and salvation in terms of having these spiritual gifts. This is nothing new. The Christians in Corinth has the same dilemma that’s why Paul reminded them in 1 Corinthians 12 to have the right attitude towards their gifts.

There is nothing wrong in having one or more gifts. It doesn’t mean that being good to a specific gift deepens our relationship with the Lord or assures us of our salvation. Some Christians use their gifts for personal purpose or even for self-actualization. Others feel good in having special gifts such as speaking in tongues or prophesying. We cannot fool God. We can be a good steward of gifts and talents but let us not forget that the main purpose of it is to edify the church and draw more people for the glory of God.

All spiritual gifts come from God as being manifested by the Holy Spirit and therefore must be set for His purpose and not ours. We can spend more time on discovering our gifts or on improving our talents but let us not forget to spend time on meditation and prayer.