Scripture

When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did signs and wonders and miracles among you.

Observation

Paul is not inferior to the so-called “super apostles”, even though he is nothing at all. Paul proved his credentials as an apostle when he was with them by performing many signs and wonders.

Paul will visit Corinth a third time, and he will not be a burden to them. Some people claim he was tricking them. Paul asserts that everything he does is to strengthen them.

Pail is afraid that when he comes, he will find them engaging in the same fleshly behaviour and that they have not repented of their sexual immorality.

Application

One of the generally accepted signs of apostolic grace is the gift of miracles. Here, Paul says that he performed signs, wonders and miracles in Corinth.

Having said that, signs, wonders and miracles should not be seen as the exclusive domain of apostles. These are things that every child of God should experience as the normal christian life.

What would a life of supernatural gifts look like?

Firstly, we must always have the same attitude of Christ. He did these things patiently. Humility and devotion to Christ alone are the true marks of the christian.

Secondly, we must always walk in submission and obedience to Christ. God will only give us the power that we can handle in submission to Him. We seek the Giver not the gifts.

The core issue is this: Can I be trusted with signs and wonders?

Prayer

Lord, please help me to submit myself entirely to you. May the gifts of your Spirit always be signs of your kingdom, pointing others to Christ. Amen.

Scripture

I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.

Observation

Paul’s boasting will do no good, but he is compelled to continue. He tells about an experience where he was taken up to heaven, to the very presence of God, and he saw things that were too astounding to put into words.

He could boast about this experience, but he refuses to do so because he wants the truth of the gospel to be heard in his words and seen in his lifestyle.

To stop Paul from becoming proud because of these revelations, the Lord allowed a thorn in the flesh from satan to torment him. He pleaded with the Lord to take it away, but the Lord said to him, “My grace is all you need.” So Paul now takes pleasure in his own weakness because when he is weak then Christ can work through him.

Application

Paul has been trading boasts with the so-called super apostles. Now he mentions an experience of heaven that was so powerful that human words cannot express what he saw. So he does not try to revel in this because he wants people to judge him by the message he teaches and the way he lives.

How different this is to some of the prophetic people in the church. There are some who claim to have been taken up to heaven and they give great details of what they saw. Paul refused to boast about his experience, but this does not deter them.

Visions of heaven, words from the Lord, and extraordinary experiences of the Holy Spirit can be exciting. but we need to make sure that we do not become consumed by the experience at the expense of worshipping the Lord.

I came to Christ as the result of a vision I had of Him when I was 18. It was a powerful experience that literally changed my life. I never claim to be superior to people who grew up in the faith through a Christian family or those who were led into faith through a conversation. It is the Lord who is the centre of our faith, not our experiences of Him.

Prayer

Thank you Lord Jesus for all of the gifts of the Spirit, for visions and dreams. Help me to keep all of these things in perspective so that I seek you and you alone. Amen.