I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. but I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. - II Corinthians 12:1-6This is the humility of sharing your faith. I don't mean the activity of inviting another person to church, but the legitimate activity of sharing why you have the faith you do. I think Paul was talking about John and when he was taken to heaven and revealed the splendor of paradise in
Revelation. I would love to be able to say, "this guy I know saw God in paradise, he cannot begin to describe what he saw, but I'm in awe of him." I guess should be able to say such a thing about some of the faithful brothers I know.
I am in awe of some of conversion stories of the brothers and sisters within the church, the repentance of homosexuals, drug addicts, thieves, swindlers and liars, to name some of the harshest of sinners. But who am I not to put myself in that category, immoral, deceitful, impure,
debaucherous to name a few. But like Paul wrote to the Corinthians, it's my life I will share with you and stories of faith and courage of others. One of the more awkward things for me is giving some one my conversion story. I find it not to be that impressive, but God saved me for the people I know to see a Gospel different from the one they have become tired and weary of.
A thought has passed through... and I forgot what it was.
