How do you feel about vulnerability? In reality, there are tons of negative impressions about being vulnerable because no one wants to feel powerless. This is because we tend to believe that vulnerability is related to powerlessness and weakness.
Benefit of Vulnerability
Sharing vulnerability with others is not one of my strongest qualities. It's hard for me to talk about personal struggles, even when I was young with my parents. I already told you about ordering milk during lunch time at school without my parents' permission. When I was around 4th grade, my school launched a new program to provide all different kinds of flavors of milk at lunch break. Many of my friends signed to have milk but I did not. At that time, watching my classmates enjoy chocolate-flavored and strawberry-flavored milk was quite challenging for me.
One day, I impulsively signed a contract without my parents' permission. Two weeks later, I received a bill to pay one dollar and five cents, but I couldn't ask my parents for the money because I did not ask their permission before I signed the contract.
Next day, I went to school without any money, and the teacher asked me to pay for the milk. I told her I forgot to bring cash. The day after, she asked me again, and I apologized, saying I forgot to bring it once more. Throughout that whole week, I kept looking down on my way to school, hoping to find some money. Finally, I told Mom the truth and asked her to pay. She gave me the money and I paid for it. I learned that speaking out what you need, it is a key to solve the problem.
Lisa has a different personality than I do. She never hesitates to ask questions if she needs help. For example, when we go to Meijer for grocery, I tend to walk around each section searching, sometimes spending over 10 minutes to find what I want to buy. On the other hand if Lisa cannot find something, she immediately seeks out a store employee and resolves the issue in just a minute.
Dr. Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston, emphasizes that vulnerability is key to authenticity, connecting with people, and building meaningful relationships with those whom we open up to. She also emphasizes that vulnerability can also enhance our spiritual lives.
Main Point of the Passages
Today's passages provide us with insight into how to transform our vulnerability into God’s strength. The key word is the word of God. In the New Testament, there are two primary Greek words that describe the word of God. The first one is ‘logos,’ and the other word in the Bible is ‘Rhema.’
In John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” In this passage, the Word is Logos. The Logos is the deep loving heart of God that flows from the mouth of God. It is the source of life for all creation and embodies the essence of God's light that illuminates all people. The Word became flesh in Jesus of Nazareth. Now, we have logos as the written Word of God in the Bible. It is the description of Logos in the Bible.
Rhema is a spoken word of God. The concept of 'Rhema' emphasizes the dynamic and living aspects of God's communication with individuals in specific moment, while Logos represents the broader and foundational truths in Scripture. For example, when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, after he was fasting forty days and forty nights. “The tempter came to him and said, if you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. Jesus spoke the word of God through His mouth, saying, “It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:2-4).
The tempter failed to test Jesus Christ not only because Jesus Christ is the Logos of God, but also because Jesus Christ proclaimed the written word of God through his mouth.
Christians Spiritual Challenges
Ephesians 6:17 says that “When we speak out the word of God, I became “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (Rhema) of God.” This passage provides Christians with spiritual insight on how to lead victorious lives by overcoming various temptations. Speak out the word of God; it will become the sword of the Spirit and chop up the challenges that you are facing.
Common spiritual challenges that American Christians have experienced include doubt and skepticism about one’s faith, fear and anxiety regarding uncertainties of the future, spiritual lukewarmness leading to a loss of passion for their Christian faith, and polarization which is expressing anger and judgment toward people who think differently.
When you feel that you are experiencing these spiritual challenges, speak out the words of God through your mouth. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews4:12).” We need the written Word (Logos) as a foundation, but we also need the spoken word (Rhema) for its power to actually work for us.
Conclusion
Apostle Paul mentions the spiritual benefit of being vulnerable before God in 2 Corinthians 12:9.
“I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me.” Paul encourages us to embrace our vulnerability in God because God's power is the most working when Christians acknowledge their vulnerability before Him. God's written word, Logos, turns into Rhema when we trust it in our hearts and speak it out of our mouths. When we speak out loud, the word of God becomes powerful work among us.
Practical applications
I will share three practical applications on how to speak out the Word (Logos) to make the power of God in our daily Christian life.
- Read the Bible and tell and declare the promises of God in the Bible in your daily lives. Do not be ashamed of the power of the word because it is the power of God for the one who believes it.
- Speak out words of blessings and promising words in your prayers, especially when facing physical problems. Remember what God said in Exodus 15:26, 'I am the Lord, who heals you.' In Hebrews 4:12, it is emphasized that “the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword; it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” The word of God is sharper than any surgical knife that medical doctor’s use.
- Sing, praise God, and shout His greatness through your mouth when you worship in the Church. I've heard some Christians say, 'I do not like to sing.' I understand what they mean; perhaps they're saying that they are not a good singer. However, whether you like singing or not, all living creatures of God must sing and praise Him because God clearly said in Isaiah 43:21, 'The people I formed for myself, that they may proclaim my praise.' If we do not praise God, the stones will praise His glory.
I heard the testimony of Christians who are healed while they are praying, and they revived and renewed their soul and spirit while they sing praise to God’s glory.
@ 01.14.23. Pastor Cloud Poy
@ Photo on Unsplash의James Coleman
