Cameroon Bible Institute

CHAPTER 17;
POWER PRINCIPLE ELEVEN:
THE POWER OF SUFFERING;
We view suffering through human reasoning. By every standard of human reasoning the cross of
Jesus was a waste of a great and noble life. But in the reasoning of God it was the greatest
demonstration of His power. It resulted in the salvation of man.
Paul understood this important principle of spiritual power. The power of God is disguised in
weakness. This is why he could say: . . . Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power
of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I
strong. (II Corinthians 12:9-10)
We never see power in weakness or failure. This is a strange attitude for people whose center of
faith is the cross. Jesus experienced the resurrection after He had suffered. Resurrection power
comes through the fellowship of His suffering.True spiritual power is demonstrated not in the absence of suffering, problems, and crises, but in
the midst of them. Power turns what the world calls an ordeal into an opportunity for the
demonstration of the power of God.