Born Free: 16 Principles to Help You Be FreeSample

Principle 9: There is Power in Weakness

The ninth power principle turns conventional wisdom upside down: God’s power is made perfect in weakness. “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

Did you ever notice that the Bible hardly ever says what you think it is going to say? This text is one of those cases. It ought to read, “God's power is made perfect when you have gotten your power revved up as high as it can go." But it doesn’t say that. It says that God’s power is made perfect in weakness.

Out of our weakness, God can create strength. The American folk religion says, “God helps those who help themselves.” The Bible says, “God helps those who can’t help themselves and know it.” As you face the reality of admitting your weakness to yourself and maybe even to others, you will see that such admission is an important step to freedom. The world doesn’t know it, but that is the great secret of the Christian life.

The servant principles of the Scriptures are very important because they point the way to how Christians get authority. By authority, I mean the appropriate and biblical use of power. You don’t get authority from a gun, from political power, or shouting; you get authority from serving in weakness. I am a sinner. Are you? Doesn’t that feel better? I am weak in so many areas, afraid and lonely, and constantly afraid that people will find out that I am not as smart or spiritual, or good as they think I am. Once you know that you are weak; once you know that you are not perfect; once you know that you don’t have anything by which to commend yourself before God . . . you don’t have anything to protect anymore. You don’t have to be right anymore. Then you are free. And in that freedom, there is tremendous power.