George Cutting · Liberty: Who Gets It and How?

We have seen that God has to show us what total bankrupts we are as to goodness, that we may find all we want—nay, more, all He Himself wants—in Christ. And He must next bring us to realize our perfect weakness that we may find our strength in Christ as well. “Apart from Me,” saith the Lord, “ye can do nothing.” On the other hand, Paul could say, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (or “who gives me power”), Phil. 4:13. And when Paul had learned the lesson, he could even glory in his infirmities, and do it “gladly,” because he knew that his weakness only made the more room for Christ's power, as he says, “That the power of Christ may rest upon me,” 2 Cor. 12:9. He does not make me conscious of having power; but in the consciousness of my weakness, I avail myself of His power. “I take pleasure in infirmities . . . for when I am weak, then am I strong,” v. 10.