CRUCIFIED IN WEAKNESS

"For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives 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

One day it occurred to me while reading this verse, if Christ Himself was crucified in weakness, then obviously weakness is not a hindrance to living powerfully in God. Did you catch that? It's worth reading again! Honestly, this scripture doesn't get the billing it ought to have. I saw my shortcomings and inadequacies as disqualifying factors. Wouldn't they logically lessen effectiveness or potential in the Kingdom of God? When I was new in the faith, the enemy had me troubled and focused on my weaknesses to silence and paralyze me from stepping out in the Spirit, and adding to that, I felt just plain insufficient. It's a common trick of the devil, and unfortunately, we as believers can fall for it. Given the right circumstances, it can happen anytime in our walk. We draw back, become inactive, and then before we know it, we're altogether missing in action from the body of Christ. God forbid.

As my husband says, the Accuser is the Excuser. He gives us plenty of excuses when we're open to suggestion. There's a fine line between reasons and excuses. In fact, as time goes on, there might not be one! Especially when we find no resolve in our hearts from God. But brethren, it's there to be found. Read in 2 Cor 12:9-10 what the Lord personally spoke to the Apostle Paul concerning his own dilemma. Hear the determination it worked in him:

"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of God may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 1 Cor 12:9-10

If Paul can most gladly boast in his infirmities and weaknesses, who am I? Surely, I don't want to be as those false apostles who boast in their strength and flesh (2 Cor. 11:12-13, 16-18). I began to realize the Lord's grace and strength is my sufficiency - not me being clever, "spiritual enough," or having it all together. The emphasis is on His greatness and what He can do through me by His grace and strength. Those divine benefits can be best and sometimes only attained in weakness. Why? It is then that His power can rest upon us. I now shed my shame and take heart. For when I am personally weak, then I can be strong in Christ!

  - Elese