Today we continue our series on healing using the book Christ the Healer as our guide. We do not mail out copies of this book but we have provided a free pdf download on our resources page. Also, there is an audible version of this book you can listen to through Youtube. A paid audible version of this book is available on Audible.com. We are not in any way affiliated with Youtube or Audible.com.

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We continue with Chapter 14 today where Bro. Bosworth devotes this chapter to Paul’s Thorn which is mentioned in 2 Corinthians Chapter 12. Many have used this passage to try to prove that Paul was sick and therefore it’s proof that not only does God some time say no, but also sometimes it’s not God’s will for us to be well.

This passage is not about sickness. It is about overcoming by the grace of God.

We took time to show from Scripture in our last podcast that when language such as “thorn in the flesh” is used in other places in Scripture, it always referred to trouble from people. Paul clearly experienced trouble everywhere he went as we pointed out last week. Paul was clear in saying the thorn in the flesh was a messenger from satan sent to buffet or torment him. This messenger influenced the minds of people and turned them against Paul just as the minds of many were turned against Jesus to the point that they screamed out for Jesus to be crucified.

I want to read this portion of Scripture again and they show how God’s grace was sufficient for anything Paul came against just as the grace available to you and I is sufficient as well.

Let’s begin by reading 2 Corinthians Chapter 12:7-10

7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given to me: a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. 8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. 

Paul was having a great impact in the world for Christ. Satan wanted to make it hard for Paul and if he could, discourage him and even stop him. Paul went through a lot and much of what he faced was demonic opposition through influencing people to have irrational hate and anger towards Paul.

Paul prayed for this to away. Paul asked God for this to stop but God’s answer was that his grace was sufficient. In other words no matter what Paul faced or struggle he encountered, God’s grace in him was enough to endure it, overcome it and be victorious over it.

Let’s look at some Scriptures.

John 16:33 (ESV)

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus said we would have tribulation in this world. Can we ask in faith not to go through trials, struggles and tribulations? No. Jesus said we would. But he also said take heart because he has overcome the world.   This passage teaches us that we will face trials and struggles. But, we are to take charge of our heart, stay of good courage, because Jesus has overcome the world and he is our Lord. He is our champion. His spirit is dwelling in us and his grace flows through us.

Now let’s look at the words of Paul found in Acts 20 as he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

22 Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there; 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me. 24 But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God. (WEB)

Here is the great message of the thorn in the flesh. No matter what the enemy throws at you, God’s grace will empower you to finish your race, the ministry God has given you. And, if you will not focus on you but focus on Christ, despite the trials and opposition, you can live your life and run your race with joy.  Amen.

That’s good news! Amen.

Now I want to show you something else.

1 Corinthians 15:10 (WEB)

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was bestowed on me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

All that Paul accomplished, he said it was God’s grace in him doing it. Amen.

Now what about us? Is this grace available to us? It is if you will believe it.

Romans 5:1-2

“1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; 2 through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

This grace, the power of God, is available to every believer who will by faith access it. We believe God’s Word, make it our confession of faith then expect to walk in it. Amen.

Now let me share something else with you. You see throughout Scripture how the power of God by his grace and Word is available to us.

In the recorded prayer of Paul for the believers in Ephesus, he prays that God will help them know 3 things. Let’s read part of this prayer beginning with Ephesians 1:18-19 “may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe.

God wants us as his children to know and walk in these things.

I want you to read and pray for yourself what Paul prays for in this prayer founder in Ephesians 1.

I also want you to act in faith by making a confession of faith, “God I think you that your grace working in and through me is sufficient to cause me to overcome any trial, obstacle or tribulation so that I may finish my race, those things you would have me do, and do it with joy.” Amen.

Blessings in Christ,

Tim Dumas