“Survival Of The Weakest”
June 30th, 2007“Survival Of The Weakest” “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
On November 24, 1859, Charles Darwin published a paper entitled, “The Origin of the Species.” In this paper, Darwin provided his explanation for the observations he had made while sailing among the Galapagos Islands on his boat - “The Beagle.” In summary, he concluded that individual species evolved into various forms as the stronger members of that species survived and the weaker members were eliminated. It was a process he called “natural selection” and it was based on the principle of the “survival of the fittest.”
The principle of the “survival of the fittest” is not exactly the starting place for where the argument between the theories of Intelligent Design (ID) and Evolution take place. “Survival of the fittest” is actually a logical explanation for why some species seem to survive and prosper while others do not. The argument between ID and Evolution is primarily over beginnings. How did those first living organisms come to be? Were they the result of random, cosmic forces that, by pure chance, produced the necessary ingredients for life on this planet? Or, was there an Intelligent Designer behind it all, creating life according to His special design and purpose?
Defending ID over Evolution is not where I want to go with this letter. Rather, I’d like to consider how God’s design for the survival of His people is based upon weakness rather than strength. According to God’s way, its not “survival of the fittest,” but “survival of the weakest.” St. Paul put it like this, “He [Jesus] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor.12:9).
Rather than commending the healthy, strong and domineering, Jesus commends the weakest and most vulnerable. “Blessed are the poor in spirit;” “Blessed are the meek;” “Blessed are the merciful,” He says. These are they who will survive and prosper according to His design. Maybe this helps us understand why St. Paul goes on to say, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor.12:10).
Compare St. Paul’s approach to life with a woman I spoke with a while ago. She had just received a job after being unemployed for a while. It was an entry-level position, but she was glad to have the job. She had a strong history of experience that made her more qualified than the office manager, who was younger and struggling in her position. The woman I spoke with was hopeful that one or two more blunders by the younger woman and she might lose her job, which would create an opening for her to move up in the company. When I suggested that she might consider offering some of her experience and assistance to the office manager, she looked at me like I was some extinct species and said, “It’s a dog eat dog world out there.”
We hear Christ say, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Yet it is hard for us to trust his Word. We’re not convinced that we can survive simply by entrusting our lives to His care and, in weakness, serving our neighbor in love. Yet, it is when we are weak, that we are strong.
The strength of God is carried out in the weakness of the cross. The One who created everything, apart from Whom, nothing was made that has been made, (versus Darwin), exercised His power by laying His strength aside (versus exercising his strength) and humbled Himself (versus exerting Himself) and became obedient unto death (versus successful) and suffered death, even death on a cross. And what did God think of this One? “Therefore God highly exalted Him…” (Philippians 2:5-9).
It’s “survival of the weakest” for those who live by faith. We survive because of Christ’s weakness. As human beings who have been recreated in the image of Christ, we are fittest when we are weak. For in our weakness, we are imitating Jesus and able to love our neighbor as He has loved us.
Yours in Christ, Pastor Nielsen
Related Entries:
» To the Church at Thyatira - Revelation 2:18-29» Sermon - Easter 6 - “I Have Overcome The World” - John 16:25-33 - 5/13/07
» Dealing With Temptation - Matthew 4:1-11
» Sermon - Lent 1 - “A Champion Comes To Fight” - Matthew 4:1-11 - 2/10/08
» Sermon - Pentecost 14 - “Be Opened” - Mark 7:31-37 - 9/6/09
» Sermon - Lent 5 - “The Welcoming Father - Part #2″ - Luke 15:1-3, 25-32 - 3/25/07
