The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 12:3-5, 7-10, “I know how such a man– whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows–

4 was caught up into Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

5 On behalf of such a man will I boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses….

7 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was

given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me– to keep me from exalting myself!

8 Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will

rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s

sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

In the providence of God, Paul was “caught up into Paradise,” where he experienced things he was not permitted to share.

The magnificence of this experience, however, could have easily caused him to boast. Therefore, the LORD gave him a

“thorn in the flesh” to keep him mindful of his weakness. Three times he entreated the LORD to remove the “thorn,” yet the LORD’s response was “My grace is sufficient for you…power is perfected in weakness.”

Theologians have long debated what that “weakness” was. Perhaps it is better that we focus on how the LORD’s power is

perfected in human weakness. Notice first that the LORD’s power is enormous and well beyond all human comprehension! “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth” (Gen. 1:1). He spoke, and it was done! The entirety of the Universe was completed by the power of divine declaration!

Consider, too, the multiple acts of mercy the LORD performed in His three years on this Earth. Eyes of the blind were opened, deafness was corrected, distorted limbs were straightened, the dead were raised to life –all by the mere commands of the voice of our LORD Jesus Christ. Such power is humanly incomprehensible!

The weaknesses of man are clearly imbalanced by the strengths of the LORD. Thus, all that we accomplish must be credited to His will. Were the LORD to allow us sufficient strength of our own, we would naturally exalt and boast of our own accomplishments. The imperfections of knowledge and speech and mobility and health require our reliance upon Him. We are forced to conclude that all accomplishments result from His will and His work –not from our own! When we openly acknowledge Him and the accomplishments as His, and admit that all weaknesses are ours alone, He is glorified! And at that

juncture, we are prepared to be and do what He desires. Are you ready? There really is no other way.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom