And they praised God because of me.
Summary: How we live determines how we are remembered.
There comes a point in life when we all die. For those who reject God, death is presumed to be the “end.” For those of us who know God, we understand that physical death is only a minor inconvenience. Our true life, our spiritual life, begins when we accept Jesus as our Savior and is fully realized when we shed our physical body and experience the full love of God, undimmed by the distractions of this world.
The point where we pass from this life to the next is unique. Like the moment of birth, we pass from one world to another. When we are born, we leave behind the womb of our mother. When we die, we leave behind the womb of the physical realm and all the people in it. From our perspective, we transition from one type of existence to another. From the world’s perspective, people who “die” are “gone.”
When we leave this world, we leave behind echoes of our time here. Words we have said and things we have done remain alive in the memories of the people who are still physically alive.
Paul’s description of leaving Jerusalem for “Syria and Cilicia” (Galatians 1:21) is a bit like this. As he writes later, in his letter to the Galatians, “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:19-20)
When Paul “died,” he became a new man in Christ. The people in Judea who remember Paul as someone who persecuted believers and tried to destroy Christianity think of Paul as “dead.” They know that the new man, transformed by Jesus and the Holy Spirit, now works to strengthen the church.
If the “old Paul” had a tombstone, it would be on the road to Damascus, where he met Jesus. On that tombstone would be words like, “Here lies the old Paul, persecutor of Jesus.” When the “new Paul” left to head for Syria and Cilicia, he left behind a reputation as one who now preaches the faith.
The people of Judea remember the “new Paul” differently. Paul says, “And they praised God because of me.” What a wonderful epitaph! I hope that when our turn comes to die, there is someone who suggests putting those words on our tombstones.
Application: Live so that people will praise God because of you, too.
Food for Thought: What are some things we can do that will inspire others to praise God?
What are some things we can do that will inspire others to praise God?
A daily blog, devotional, or some kind of daily meditation about our Lord.
Hi Tim,
Thank you! The same holds true for the faithful who share the meditation. 🙂
Good response T 😊.
Matthew 5: 16 points to the fact that if we do good works that point to God, it glorifies Him. It allows others to see God more clearly because of our actions. We also point to who God is by loving Him and loving others in His name (Matthew 22: 37 – 40; John 1:: 34 – 35; 1 Corinthians 13: 1 – 8). These are some things that inspire others to praise God. The same is true of our testimony of faith, or singing praise songs to the Lord, or when we disciple others in the faith. Ephesians 5: 19 – 20 give us other ways that encourage others to take note of God and praise Him. In short, if we live for God it will lead to others praising Him.
Thank you, Rich!
Great verses!! I especially liked Matt 5:16 (let your light shine) and the ref to the “love passage,” 1 Cor 13.
It is interesting to be pointed to these passages because they are true, and yet I don’t always see them in Paul’s writings. Often, Paul is teaching or disciplining, as he is in his letter to the Galatians. Sometimes he even sounds angry to my ear. (At least frustrated if not angry. 🙂 )
Yet we know from people’s faithfulness to Paul and the love they show to him in the book of Acts that he was loving. And there are many words he writes that express patience and deep love for those in the faith.
What are some things we can do that will inspire others to praise God?
I am with T and R.
Jesus referenced Deuteronomy when He told Satan that “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” Matthew 4:4.
God told Joshua to meditate on Scripture, Joshua 1:7-8. Paul wrote, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:16.
The Word of God is powerful, life-changing, and as applied is the transforming power to all believers. The power to reassure, strengthen and inspire others, as we in submission to God’s will, display His wisdom and truth with other spiritual gifts to truly support others.
Jesus did not place His hand on a non-believers shoulder and say, I will pray for you as He walked away. No, He saw the need, spoke the truth love, and acted as He presented the truth to those in need. Study Jesus, get to know and find comfort in Jesus. He will bless the humble as He comes into our hearts and He ministers to others as we submit ourselves to His will.
Thank you, Ron!
Well said and great references!
What are some things we can do that will inspire others to praise God? Live as He lived. Practice the greatest commandment (Mark 12:30-31). Leave the judgment to Him and let Him love through us. All of these things are easier said than done at times though given the broken world we live in. Flesh can sometimes, and often does, get the best of us.
I have the following scriptures I keep up at all times at my computer: “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Phil 2:13). “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Col. 3:23-24). These help me remember I am here for His purpose and He is working through me. I need this constant reminder because I am imperfectly His always falling short.
Finally, at the end of my email, I have this quote: “People can be better or worse for having met you. They might as well be better.” I don’t know who said it so I cannot give credit to the author, but it has stuck with me from the first time I read it. Even encountering someone who does not believe in Him, this quote can be practiced and I like to think it exhibits how we are to live according to Him.
Darla,
Thank you for sharing! I love your synopsis, “Leave the judgment to Him and let Him love through us.”
Well said!