- 168. I am Strong
2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, than am I strong.
I am strong! This is different statement of faith than to say that Jesus is strong. Indeed, the Scriptural promises of God’s strength and of Jesus being strong for me is true, but this promise is different: I am strong. This promise explains how difficult it is to explain and understand the union of Christ and me. Which is it? Jesus or me? Is it Jesus who lives in me? Or is it me who lives with Jesus? It is not possible for me to know who is actually doing the strong thing. It is really both: Jesus does the work and gets the credit, but it is me who gets the benefit. To believe, “When I am weak, then am I strong,” is the same as believing, “I am weak, but He is strong.” Either way, or both ways, the common truth is that I am weak.
I am weak in several ways: I am weak in the sense of being powerless to do anything spiritually good by myself,on my own power. I am weak in the sense of being oppressed and overcome by outside forces; sin, death, and the devil are truly sworn enemies over which I am powerless. Also, I am weak in the sense that the good works I do, the spiritual weapons I use appear to be weakand lowly, like forgiving, apologizing, serving, giving, humbling myself, dying to self, suffering injustices, turning the cheek, and all such weak works. For example, it takes much more strength to forgive than to strike back and get even, and much more positive results come about. In this way it is true: “When I am weak (forgive), then I am strong (beneficial results ensue).”
First, I admit my weakness by repenting of sin: my own human will cannot choose God or the good on its own. I cannot even believe in Jesus Christ by my own reason or strength, but the Holy Spirit calls me by the Gospel. Then, when I believe, I am strong.
Second, I admit that I am too weak to overcome the temptations of sin and the devil. I am too weak to defeat death; try as I might, it will come. On my own, I cannot live forever. Jesus is strong to defeat Sin, Death, and the Devil and gives me by grace that victory, and in His name I overcome, I am strong.