Am I Ready for Real Christianity?
Last time we saw what real Christianity looks like, how it demonstrates itself, how it presents itself. Tonight we want to clear up misconceptions about real Christianity. Chances are you think about your Christian life in terms of comfort—not the God of all comfort kind, but comfort as the absence of hardship. You might buy into the idea that being American is synonymous with being Christian, and protecting American comforts is protecting the gospel. The point of this passage is that the presence of God's grace and the absence of pride defines Christianity. One of the most effective ways God deploys his grace is in hardship, which we shouldn't avoid at all costs.
Anybody interested in missions who says, "If I go someplace where I suffer, then can I preach the gospel?" has it backwards. The great question is, "Am I going to preach the gospel?" The answer is an unashamed yes. Then, "Am I going to suffer? Most likely." And then you go. God is free to use hardship to produce humility through his grace. This results in a lifestyle worth living.
The point of this passage is to answer: Am I ready to experience real Christianity? Most of us feel the weight of that question, especially related to how we're living now. How much comfort have you accumulated to avoid hardship at all costs? It doesn't depend on money or luxury; anyone can accumulate comfort by avoiding discomfort. We don't need to seek out suffering to justify our Christianity—that's not the case.
Hebrews 11 shows two groups of believers: those who conquered kingdoms and did phenomenal things, and those sawn in two, who suffered and lost their lives. Hardship isn't necessarily risking your life preaching to Muslims; God tailors hardship to each individual exactly as needed.
Three Points: Willing to Lose Comfort for Something Greater
Am I willing to lose comfort for something greater? Three points:
- Paul's "something greater."
- God's grace.
- Paul's gratitude.
1. Paul's "Something Greater"
Paul commanded us to imitate him, so we study his life closely. By "something greater," I mean a greater experience of life than what we're recurrently experiencing—not changing circumstances or more faith, but responding to what God does in his sovereignty. Not everything Paul experienced is for us to expect, but we learn from it.
Paul details being caught up to the third heaven—revelations of the Lord so profound he heard things man may not utter. This mind-blowing heavenly experience wasn't earthly achievements like sports or awards. One of Paul's greatest experiences was heavenly, like the thief on the cross entering paradise.
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven... caught up into paradise... heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses.
The challenge: Are we living third-heaven-worthy lives? Paul could have bragged about this to build a ministry or trump false apostles: "Have they been to the third heaven? I have." Even this good gift from God posed a danger of pride. If Paul, who saw the highest heaven, was in danger of pride, how much more are we?
2. God's Grace
To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Peculiar: God's grace linked to a satanic messenger? The thorn's purpose was to prevent conceit—an undue sense of self-importance. Even after the third heaven, Paul recognized it could make him prideful. He speaks in third person about the experience ("I know a man"), boasting about "this man" but not himself—evidence the thorn was working, producing humility.
The thorn tormented him (Greek kolaphizo, more than harass). Likely a demon ("messenger" = angel from Satan) or physical illness affecting his well-being, like eyesight. Context lists weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, calamities—all thorns teaching weakness, like Job.
Paul was content with these. Recall 1 Corinthians: Paul handed a sinner to Satan for the destruction of his flesh to save his soul. Paul lives under God's discipline daily and rejoices because of its sanctifying effect. Counter-cultural: satisfaction in weakness, not luxury.
Paul begged the Lord three times (tear-filled pleas from the Advocate to the Advocate) to remove it. The response: "My grace is sufficient"—satisfying, ever-present. Grace doesn't change circumstances but is the source of satisfaction. Don't seek satisfaction in improved situations; find it in God's grace. That's the only way to endure thorns meaningfully—to smile through pain, laugh through tears.
Paul's ministry began with warning of suffering for Christ. Hardship enables satisfaction in God's grace. God decrees suffering to free us from attachments, preparing us to enjoy him eternally. Contentment in weakness exalts Christ's power: God gives what we can't handle so his sustaining power shines. "God doesn't give you more than you can handle" is false—it's a lie. God tormented Paul to reveal grace's sufficiency. God sovereignly oversees suffering, even via Satan, as in Job.
3. Paul's Gratitude
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.
Paul boasts gladly in weakness—increasing joy in frailty. Imagine bragging, "I can't lift that 800 pounds!" It makes no sense unless for Christ's power to reside in him. Weakness leaves room for Christ's power, like Moses or Paul achieving mighty things despite inability.
We can be safeguarded from pride, secure in suffering, satisfied with grace, with Christ's power reigning in us. This exposes what holds our affections: Is Christ's saving power most important? Satisfied, glad, content—these are circumstance-agnostic advantages equipping us for life, to glorify God in our purpose.
Closing Questions
- What do you consider your strengths? (Attitudes, possessions, personality.)
- What are your weaknesses? (Prayer life, devotion, health.)
- Are you content with God taking away strengths through hardship?
- Do you trust God's grace is sufficient for you?
