“I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you. Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power.”
2 Corinthians 13:3-4 NLT
Human weakness and the power of God. Opposites mentioned by Paul in our verses today, as he encouraged the Corinthians with a warning that unless they dealt with their sin, his impending third visit was going to be painful, both for them and for himself. We are all aware of the first, our weakness as human beings, with limitations that get in the way of our pilgrimage to Glory. Those times when we do something we shouldn’t, or when we don’t do something we should. Those times when we echo what Paul experienced when he wrote, “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong” (Romans 7:21). And he continued, “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” We believers are still slaves to the sinful nature that is alive and well within us, and at times we seem powerless to do anything about it.
But that brings us on to the second of Paul’s opposites. The power of God. We read the first two verses of Romans 8 and find a link that bridges the gap between our weakness and God’s power. “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death”. We now live the Spirit-filled life, a Christ-centred existence directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit rather than our human strength. But it is a hard and difficult road to walk, because it involves a daily, conscious and sanctifying surrender to God’s control, resulting in transformed character, spiritual growth, and the ability to produce the fruit of the Spirit.
The problem for the Corinthians was summed up in another Romans 8 verse, “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). Paul’s fear was that when he arrived in Corinth he would not like what he found and they wouldn’t like his response. He wrote, “For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarrelling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behaviour” (2 Corinthians 12:20). These qualities are all symptomatic of their sinful natures being allowed full reign. But Paul was coming to them with God’s power, willing and able to deal with the sin amongst them and bring them back to living in the right Kingdom in the right, Spirit-filled way.
But what is the “power of God”? First and foremost, it is the Gospel, the “Good News about Christ”. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile”. That is the starting point with God’s transformative power, and for all who respond positively, they receive the promise of spending eternity in God’s presence. That is power indeed! But there is more. In Ephesians 1:19-20, we read, “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honour at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms”. Just think about it for a moment, or longer if necessary. We pilgrims have access to the power of God, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. And with that power, we have the ability to triumph over sin, bringing a new life, both now and forever. In our places of weakness, that same power will give us strength. Referring to his “thorn in the flesh”, Paul wrote, “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
We receive a glimpse of Paul’s motivation in Colossians 1:28-29, “So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me”. What was there within Paul that enabled him to endure the beatings, abuse, shipwrecks, imprisonment, even stonings, as he journeyed bringing the Gospel to the lost? Here we have the answer – “Christ’s mighty power that works within me”.
But there is one further verse that never fails to excite and challenge me. Ephesians 3:20, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think”. We earthbound pilgrims have within us the potential, through “God’s mighty power”, to achieve infinitely more than we can ever get our minds around. God’s power is limitless.
So Paul would soon be at Corinth, and the Holy Spirit would empower him to challenge and resolve the problems in the church there. Somehow, having been forewarned, I would have taken his warning seriously. Did they respond positively to this letter? We don’t know, but the warning that Paul wrote down still hangs over Christians and congregations, even to this day.
Dear Father God. We who are Spirit-filled are indeed a blessed people. We pray for Your power to work within us, making us more like Jesus, as You desire. And we pray, too, for the same power to reach out to those who are lost, so that the Good News about Christ will penetrate their thinking and transform them into new children of God. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 