Someday when we make it to heaven we will have many questions answered. I do not think they will be answered one by one like we ask and someone tells us the answer, but we will know by the Spirit of God. While I was pastoring in Germany I would attend a pastor’s prayer breakfast hosted by a huge German non-denominational church in Stuttgart. I enjoyed the time of fellowship until some of the pastors started to weasel word their way by self-seeking invitations to come and speak at others churches. That was enough for me. So I told the host pastor what was going on and begged his leave. He said he understood (he was always a very gracious man) and asked for us to stay in touch which we did. But one day before this all happened a French pastor took a seat across from me and just glared at me while we enjoyed the traditional pretzel, meat, cheese, and beer breakfast. I do not like the taste of beer so I drank coffee. The longer we ate the more he glared until he spoke. In English, as he leaned back in his seat, he told me an American pastor told him we will speak English in heaven, what do I think? Well, I quickly beseeched (one of six words for prayer in the Bible) the Lord what to say, not wanting to further anger the French pastor and said, I do not think we will speak in heaven. He then leaned forward in his seat and said tell me more. I said, I think we will communicate through the Spirit. He really like that and offered me a piece of his buttered pretzel, I made a new friend. In Acts the Bible tells us not to worry about what to say, when the time comes the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say by the Spirit if we have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying. I have had many friends say the first thing they want to ask Paul, since he was not married, what was “the thorn in the flesh.” Even if we did ask and Paul would answer I do not think I would ask that question. I feel pretty sure many folks ahead of us have already asked him this question and if it was me I would be tired of answering it. But if we take a critical look at Paul’s life we may be able to maybe answer this question before we get to heaven and if we get it right it will help us make sure we make it to heaven. Something to know about me, I am not into heaven. Oh I am going to go and hope and pray I see you there, but I am not into heaven I am into Him. Where ever He is tis heaven to me. Anyway what is God going to do if all of His children run off and go to heaven? Who will be down here on earth to do His will as it is done in heaven? I think the church corporately today needs to get a renewed glimpse of men suffering in hell (now that will really work a desire for mercy and grace in our lives so that we can extend them to friends and even our enemies) and let God take care of us going to heaven.
I have been told Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was his poor eye sight due to his Damascus road experience being blind (Acts 9:18) with scales. I do not know, but if I had to guess I would guess no. Others say his “thorn in the flesh” was not having a wife and he burned (1 Corinthians 7:8) with lust, again I do not know, but if I had to guess I would guess no. If I would have to guess I would probably say his “thorn in the flesh” was enduring the emotions and feelings of his flesh when people he deeply loved and respected utterly rejected him. In the Book of Acts verse 19:10 we read where Paul poured two years of his life and the word of God into the churches in Asia, but then we read and why Paul instructed Timothy, “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 15This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.” (1 Timothy 1:11-15) Can you imagine spending years of pouring the life of God into people and having them turn their backs on you? I can and most pastors today can. But what made it even worse was Paul possessed a very special God-given revelation of God that no man has ever had. This precious gift of God (like Jesus Christ) was rejected and Paul knew it. The deeper the revelation of God we have the more we must be dealt with by God and it seems the more people will turn their back on them. God will not trust a man with a deep revelation unless they can be broken and made useful for the Master’s purposes. It is easy to see who has been broken they are the one everybody is beating and slandering and who opens not their mouth. When I was putting together a teaching God gave me on Spiritual Leadership, God really dealt with me on enduring the “contradiction of sinners;” where the flesh of others strike hard at our heart to cause us to stumble and fall out of the way God has for us to go. The writer of Hebrews (I believe to be Paul) sits this before our heart and eyes to consider how Jesus endured, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Hebrews 12:2-3) Now Paul knew hardships and endurance, “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” (2 Corinthians 11:22-27) But what Paul is talking about in Hebrews 12:3, is an ache and a pain that touches deep in our heart and can even sear our spirit needing the grace that only God can provide. This I believe was the “thorn in the flesh” Paul beseeched God to remove from him three times. “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. 7And 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. 8For this thing (a thing is not a person or demon) I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And 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. 10Therefore 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.” (2 Corinthians 12:6-10) Paul knew he would be a fool to glory in the truth of God’s “abundance of the revelation” so he took pleasure and even gloried, “in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore 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.” We see this also in the book of 2 Corinthians when the Church of Corinth was restored. ”And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 4For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.” (2 Corinthians 2:3-4) and then in verse 11, we see why Paul felt this way and his motive, “Less Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11) which is the same thought image Paul used when he described (2 Corinthians 12:7) “the messenger of Satan to buffet me.” The willingness of Paul to endure hatred, malice, misunderstanding, and wrath was just unbelievable. Yet I feel sure he felt every stinging word and unwarranted rebuke. No matter how deep our revelation of God is our fleshly emotions and feelings are still alive and must be dealt with by God and us. As Paul was writing to the Church at Corinth he said, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” (2 Corinthians 12:15) Paul was saying, the more I love you all the less you love me. But Paul knew he had to be willing to lose his self-interest in the church for them to come to the truth contained in his words. With this deep understanding how could a person or demon move Paul out of the way? Now that all sounds very spiritual, but the revelation of truth always shines a simplistic light and takes us down lower in heart where Jesus is. All that Paul went through (like maybe some today) the beatings, the hunger, the perils, the nakedness, and the rest he endured, but the hole in his heart was like a cancer that ate away at his spirit to the point he asked God to remove it, but God said, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” What grace? Was it the grace of salvation? I think not Paul was already saved. Was it the grace of more strength from God to endure more infirmities and afflictions? Maybe, because we all need to be strengthened the more in the inward parts so that we can be conformed into character and nature of Jesus Christ, but here I think not. 2 Corinthians 2:4 gives us the answer, “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.” It was out of “much affliction and anguish of heart” and “with many tears” we like Paul might know the truth and grace of God. The truth and grace of God Paul needed (just like many of us today) to fill the hole in our heart and dry the tears from our face. How can we get this grace? Now there is a big difference between the grace that comes with salvation and the grace of God that touches and heals our inward being. The grace of God for salvation is free for the asking of which Jesus paid a great price. Now the grace of God to touch and heal our inward parts comes to us with a price we alone (like Paul, Job, Peter, Joseph, even Jesus) must pay. Not in money or service like many denominations and religious folks teach, but in lowliness of heart and self. Us losing our selfishness, self-centeredness, and self-life so that we may be able to win Christ. Losing to gain in God, His way of us getting to give. Ask and we shall receive, right? I think not. Many Christians ask and seek and ask and seek and knock and seek and ask, but receive not (James 4:3) because they ask amiss desiring to spend their brother’s, sister’s and God’s grace on their own lust. Then how do we get this grace, well the writer of the Hebrews helps us again here, “And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” (Hebrews 12:13-15) Paul knew the grace of God to touch his life was dependant on him following peace or pursuing peace with all men, even when they despitefully used him or totally turned their backs on him like in Asia. If we too want the grace of God to touch our lives we too must, “follow peace with all men and holiness.” We cannot forget the holiness piece, so many do and never experience God’s grace. The verse says both “peace” and “holiness.” You know we can be peaceful with all men many religions teach this, but being holy to all men now that is quite difficult. You say David this is all well and good, but how do we follow peace and how can we be holy with all men? Well always remember, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) Written by David Stahl
I have been told Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was his poor eye sight due to his Damascus road experience being blind (Acts 9:18) with scales. I do not know, but if I had to guess I would guess no. Others say his “thorn in the flesh” was not having a wife and he burned (1 Corinthians 7:8) with lust, again I do not know, but if I had to guess I would guess no. If I would have to guess I would probably say his “thorn in the flesh” was enduring the emotions and feelings of his flesh when people he deeply loved and respected utterly rejected him. In the Book of Acts verse 19:10 we read where Paul poured two years of his life and the word of God into the churches in Asia, but then we read and why Paul instructed Timothy, “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 15This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.” (1 Timothy 1:11-15) Can you imagine spending years of pouring the life of God into people and having them turn their backs on you? I can and most pastors today can. But what made it even worse was Paul possessed a very special God-given revelation of God that no man has ever had. This precious gift of God (like Jesus Christ) was rejected and Paul knew it. The deeper the revelation of God we have the more we must be dealt with by God and it seems the more people will turn their back on them. God will not trust a man with a deep revelation unless they can be broken and made useful for the Master’s purposes. It is easy to see who has been broken they are the one everybody is beating and slandering and who opens not their mouth. When I was putting together a teaching God gave me on Spiritual Leadership, God really dealt with me on enduring the “contradiction of sinners;” where the flesh of others strike hard at our heart to cause us to stumble and fall out of the way God has for us to go. The writer of Hebrews (I believe to be Paul) sits this before our heart and eyes to consider how Jesus endured, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Hebrews 12:2-3) Now Paul knew hardships and endurance, “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” (2 Corinthians 11:22-27) But what Paul is talking about in Hebrews 12:3, is an ache and a pain that touches deep in our heart and can even sear our spirit needing the grace that only God can provide. This I believe was the “thorn in the flesh” Paul beseeched God to remove from him three times. “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. 7And 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. 8For this thing (a thing is not a person or demon) I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And 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. 10Therefore 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.” (2 Corinthians 12:6-10) Paul knew he would be a fool to glory in the truth of God’s “abundance of the revelation” so he took pleasure and even gloried, “in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore 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.” We see this also in the book of 2 Corinthians when the Church of Corinth was restored. ”And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 4For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.” (2 Corinthians 2:3-4) and then in verse 11, we see why Paul felt this way and his motive, “Less Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11) which is the same thought image Paul used when he described (2 Corinthians 12:7) “the messenger of Satan to buffet me.” The willingness of Paul to endure hatred, malice, misunderstanding, and wrath was just unbelievable. Yet I feel sure he felt every stinging word and unwarranted rebuke. No matter how deep our revelation of God is our fleshly emotions and feelings are still alive and must be dealt with by God and us. As Paul was writing to the Church at Corinth he said, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” (2 Corinthians 12:15) Paul was saying, the more I love you all the less you love me. But Paul knew he had to be willing to lose his self-interest in the church for them to come to the truth contained in his words. With this deep understanding how could a person or demon move Paul out of the way? Now that all sounds very spiritual, but the revelation of truth always shines a simplistic light and takes us down lower in heart where Jesus is. All that Paul went through (like maybe some today) the beatings, the hunger, the perils, the nakedness, and the rest he endured, but the hole in his heart was like a cancer that ate away at his spirit to the point he asked God to remove it, but God said, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” What grace? Was it the grace of salvation? I think not Paul was already saved. Was it the grace of more strength from God to endure more infirmities and afflictions? Maybe, because we all need to be strengthened the more in the inward parts so that we can be conformed into character and nature of Jesus Christ, but here I think not. 2 Corinthians 2:4 gives us the answer, “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.” It was out of “much affliction and anguish of heart” and “with many tears” we like Paul might know the truth and grace of God. The truth and grace of God Paul needed (just like many of us today) to fill the hole in our heart and dry the tears from our face. How can we get this grace? Now there is a big difference between the grace that comes with salvation and the grace of God that touches and heals our inward being. The grace of God for salvation is free for the asking of which Jesus paid a great price. Now the grace of God to touch and heal our inward parts comes to us with a price we alone (like Paul, Job, Peter, Joseph, even Jesus) must pay. Not in money or service like many denominations and religious folks teach, but in lowliness of heart and self. Us losing our selfishness, self-centeredness, and self-life so that we may be able to win Christ. Losing to gain in God, His way of us getting to give. Ask and we shall receive, right? I think not. Many Christians ask and seek and ask and seek and knock and seek and ask, but receive not (James 4:3) because they ask amiss desiring to spend their brother’s, sister’s and God’s grace on their own lust. Then how do we get this grace, well the writer of the Hebrews helps us again here, “And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” (Hebrews 12:13-15) Paul knew the grace of God to touch his life was dependant on him following peace or pursuing peace with all men, even when they despitefully used him or totally turned their backs on him like in Asia. If we too want the grace of God to touch our lives we too must, “follow peace with all men and holiness.” We cannot forget the holiness piece, so many do and never experience God’s grace. The verse says both “peace” and “holiness.” You know we can be peaceful with all men many religions teach this, but being holy to all men now that is quite difficult. You say David this is all well and good, but how do we follow peace and how can we be holy with all men? Well always remember, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) Written by David Stahl
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