THE POWER OF CHRIST

"Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." -II Corinthians 12:9 [KJV]

Though St. Paul is not now in the third heavens, yet he is not content, to speak any language below the superlative degree, most gladly. O, says he, “I have had the richest experience of my own weakness and impotence, that ever I had in my life. I should be most glad, every day, to be thus emptied and laid low at the feet of Christ, that the all-sufficiency of His grace, and the power of His strength might be made perfect in me. 

What does he mean by infirmities? All that weakness, feebleness, and inability, which he found in his nature, to withstand sin and Satan, to bear up under His crosses, trials, and distresses—to run the way of God’s commandments—to fight the good fight of faith, etc. I will rather glory in these. What means he? I will glory, rejoice, and be glad, that self is laid low, my proud nature debased, my self-exalting views brought down, and that I am entirely emptied of all self-sufficiency. I will rather glory in this, than in any thing else. 

Why so? “That the power of Christ may rest upon me.” When full of the pride of nature, and self-sufficiency, the soul sees not the need of Christ’s grace. A full stomach loathes the honey-comb. When strong in nature’s power, the strength of Christ is not sought after. But when Satan buffets—infirmities prevail—nature fails and sinks, hope and help from self forsake us, when the Saviour is sought to. The soul goes right humbly to the Lord. The sinner’s extremity is the Lord’s opportunity. 

When Peter begins to sink, self-confidence forsakes him, and he cries, Lord save or I perish. Then Christ exerts His power and saves him. When Satan thinks to buffet Paul out of his faith and hope in the Lord, he only buffets him out of his self-exaltings and self-confidence. He drives him to the throne of grace. He besought the Lord again and again. The Lord delivers not, but only tells him, My grace is sufficient for thee. 

St. Paul felt the power of Christ resting upon him. Learn hence, O soul, not to be distressed at thy infirmities, a sense of thy weakness and emptiness: glory in them, that Christ may be glorified by thee, causing His power to rest upon thee. For mind that precious word of His. Let thy weak and infirm spirit hang upon it from day to day. “He giveth power to the faint: and to them who have no might He increaseth strength.” -Isaiah 40:29

 

Tho’ weak to stand, and prone to fall, 

Yet we alas, are full of pride! 

O Saviour dear on Thee we call, 

Humble and keep us near Thy side. 

When weak and faint we find our heart, 

Still will we glory in Thy pow’r 

Thy strength’ning grace shall ne’er depart 

From Thine in their distressing hour.

 

-preacher Wm. Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)