Our Weakness is God's Strength

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BradC

Guest
#1
2 Cor 12:9, 10 And 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.10 Therefore 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 like to speak of having strength to be able to face the trials, testing and adversity that come in the plan of God, but do we know what it means to glory in our weakness so that grace becomes our only sufficiency? We build walls to protect and insulate ourselves from the things that reveal our weakness because we want to show ourselves strong. We think that if we show ourselves weak that we will be taken advantage of because of vulerability. God's plan is to show his strength and make it perfect in our weakness so that his grace will be sufficient in all things that we face in this life. God loves weakness and has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty (1Cor 1:27). Weakness is not sin but is part of the clay that God molds with his own handiwork to reveal himself, the treasure in our earthen vessel (2 Cor 4:7).
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
#2
Good post. :)
 
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shotgunner

Guest
#3
The only reason to glory is because of God's strength in us. Notice Paul wasn't saying he was weak, but that he was strong when he accepted his strength as weakness and relied only on the strength of Christ, "for when I am weak, then am I strong."

I feel too many people use this scripture to glory in an infirmity. They see themselves as special because God has chosen them to suffer and that the suffering will somehow bring glory to God. They are in fact glorying in their infirmity and in so doing glorying in themselves. This is exactly the opposite to what this scripture is saying. It is saying to look to the strength of God and be strong. Paul says he takes pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, persecutions, but not for their sakes as if he were special to receive them, but because they give him another opportunity to overcome through the strength of Christ alone, knowing that it is Christ's strength and not his own.
 
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weakness

Guest
#4
We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.
 
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atwhatcost

Guest
#5
We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.
Okay, so how often does this happen in life? Someone preaches about our weakness, and then Weakness literally response.
 
Dec 18, 2013
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#6
I like this. Reminds me of a similar tangent me and my friend JJ were discussing last week. To note my friend JJ is not particularly religious, but he's not against religion either. He merely isn't big on book reading, but he is still interested in the Bible stories so I have been trying to foster his interest.

We were watching a movie about King David. We had an interesting discussion of how God has the ability to turn a man's weakness to strength. Like how he made Saul the king when he was the least of his family from the least of the tribes. How God made David king when he was the least of his family, even a lowly shepherd boy. How in physical and carnal ways Goliath was much stronger than David, even a giant versus a boy, but God did deliver the Philistine into his hands. How in David's weakness and sin with Bathsheba that God did reverse David's turmoil and establish his kingdom by giving him Solomon. How when David was in jeopardy of losing his throne to Absalom, and cast out abroad, and even had a smaller army than Absalom's army, that God did deliver to him victory and return.

Indeed Paul's words speak true though to some people they may be hard to comprehend. When we are weak with sickness, God is our comfort. God uplifts the poor and makes them rich. He gives the weaklings the strength to stand. He is the only freedom that the oppressed man has. He is our only refuge in a world full of trouble.

On our own lives, my friend JJ was at that time taking a test to become an insurance agent. He failed twice the test, and had one final chance. The first two times he was puffed up and very sure of himself and he did fail. The third time he did fret and was weak of countenance. I am weak in money, but I still believed God would help him. So I gave to him the money he needed to go to and take his test, expecting no recompense for I just want good to come to my friend. Get this, when my friend came to pick up the money, he had lost his practice test, and we found it without even meaning to look for it. Praise to the God of Heaven and Earth, for my friend did pass his test. The Bible is not just a book, though it is that too. Everything written in the Bible about God is truth I must testify, for the God of the Christians is the only god ever written about or spoken about in all history that doth provide and answer prayers.
 
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BradC

Guest
#7
The only reason to glory is because of God's strength in us. Notice Paul wasn't saying he was weak, but that he was strong when he accepted his strength as weakness and relied only on the strength of Christ, "for when I am weak, then am I strong."

I feel too many people use this scripture to glory in an infirmity. They see themselves as special because God has chosen them to suffer and that the suffering will somehow bring glory to God. They are in fact glorying in their infirmity and in so doing glorying in themselves. This is exactly the opposite to what this scripture is saying. It is saying to look to the strength of God and be strong. Paul says he takes pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, persecutions, but not for their sakes as if he were special to receive them, but because they give him another opportunity to overcome through the strength of Christ alone, knowing that it is Christ's strength and not his own.
Human weakness should always be looked at and viewed as a benefit, because it is the only means that God can show himself strong through our humanity. We are to put no confidence or trust in the arm (strength) of the flesh (2 Chr 32:8, Jer 17:9). God's strength is made perfect in our weakness and not in our ability through the flesh. We are to allow the grace of God to be sufficient in our weakness and not the law through the arm of the flesh. If we continue to trust or put confidence in our ability to keep the law, we will never get to know the God of all grace and be a partaker of his strength in our weakness. When we were young we put confidence in our ability to do things for God but when we are older we learn to put our trust in his ability through grace that we might abide in his word and be lead of the Spirit in all things.
 

Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
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#8
Just another perspective. When I am weakest (whether in body or spirit), the Lord shows Himself strong through His body of Christians. Maybe not even IN me personally - but always through them. They seem to come alongside of me, and are strong on my behalf with anything I need.

And it is through their ministrations, that I begin to feel stronger. They are releasing the strength of the Lord to me.
 
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oldthennew

Guest
#9
Joi,

what a beautiful thing to say, and you are truly blessed
to have such friends.....:)
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,704
3,649
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#10
A similar angle...

John 15:5 KJV
[5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.


​How strong is that?
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,704
3,649
113
#12
John 3:30 (KJV) He must increase, but I must decrease. (hehe)
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,704
3,649
113
#13
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 KJV
[26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called : [27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; [28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea , and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: [29] That no flesh should glory in his presence.
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,780
2,937
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#14
This is a thought provoking OP. I do tend to the idea that although I am weak, God makes me strong.

But does God want me to be strong, or to totally surrender and allow him to shine through me? I want to make it obvious that it is nothing in me, but totally God working within me.

"for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Phil. 2:13


 
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shotgunner

Guest
#15
This is a thought provoking OP. I do tend to the idea that although I am weak, God makes me strong.

But does God want me to be strong, or to totally surrender and allow him to shine through me? I want to make it obvious that it is nothing in me, but totally God working within me.

"for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Phil. 2:13


I do believe that God wants us to be strong but it is never us. Our problem is that we try to separate ourselves from God. Notice in the gospels how Jesus would always say "It is the Father in me who does the works" yet at the same time he would say " I will come and heal him." Jesus talked like this because he was never separated from God. He considered himself and God as one.

As we come to the realization that we are to be one with God we don't see ourselves as separate any longer. We have our minds renewed through the word of God to think his thoughts. We submit our bodies as a living sacrifice to do his will. Our will becomes his will. Our actions become his actions. God lives in us and is always with us. Yes, it will always be God who does anything good in us or through us, but in this mind set everything we do is done with the Word as a guide. In this mind set we are truly in Christ, new creations,all things are become new and all things are of God. II Cor.5:17
 
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BradC

Guest
#16
Concerning Christ...For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you (2 Cor 13:4).

Mt 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Heb 11:33,34 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

2 Tim 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

God does not despise weakness and neither should we. In weakness we are to humble ourselves and receive grace to make us strong in the Lord and the power of his might. How many times do we become critical of a weak brother or sister who is overtaken in a fault or some repetitive cycle of obsession and has not learned how to receive grace? Instead of ministering to them what they need, GRACE, and building them up in that grace, we reject them instead of coming alongside them and bearing with them this burden of weakness and if need be restore them.
 
Aug 15, 2009
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#17
Matthew 19:26 (KJV) But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.


John 3:30 (KJV) He must increase, but I must decrease.


1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (KJV) 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.


Philippians 2:12-13 (KJV) 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.


All good scriptures. Here's two of my personal favorites:
Ephesians 2:10 (KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Philippians 4:13 (KJV) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Yet there are some who walk in unbelief, among other things, that say we can't possibly do any good deeds, nor are we required to do so.


John 15:4-5 (KJV) 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.


Romans 1:18-25 (KJV) 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
 
W

weakness

Guest
#18
I do believe that God wants us to be strong but it is never us. Our problem is that we try to separate ourselves from God. Notice in the gospels how Jesus would always say "It is the Father in me who does the works" yet at the same time he would say " I will come and heal him." Jesus talked like this because he was never separated from God. He considered himself and God as one.

As we come to the realization that we are to be one with God we don't see ourselves as separate any longer. We have our minds renewed through the word of God to think his thoughts. We submit our bodies as a living sacrifice to do his will. Our will becomes his will. Our actions become his actions. God lives in us and is always with us. Yes, it will always be God who does anything good in us or through us, but in this mind set everything we do is done with the Word as a guide. In this mind set we are truly in Christ, new creations,all things are become new and all things are of God. II Cor.5:17[/QUOTE/ Another note is that being strong isn;t always winning.We will reign if we suffer with him. Heb. they were sawn asunder ,killed torcherd,etc. look to Jesus he willingly laid down his life, he suffered greatly. We are baptised with the baptism he is baptised with, into his death. And will drink the cup the father gives us to drink. Greater love has no man than this ,that he lay down his life for his friends. If they persecuted Jesus they willpersecute us if the Spirit dwell in us .Paul says he is delived unto death daily. that the life of Jesus would be manifest in him
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
#19
This is what Gods strength through weakness looks like, not in theory, but for real.


[video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kPF1FhCMPuQ[/video]

[video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k8B1nKGIAeg[/video]
 

pickles

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2009
14,479
182
63
#20
One of my fave scriptures. :)
Because simply said, we are called not to rely on flesh, self or worldly things...
But to completely trust all, in Jesus, to God!
Now this is truly where we are strong! for this is what we are called to , to be born into His spirit, this is where we in Jesus have life!

God bless
pickles