I would like to learn just one thing from you …
Summary: Paul’s preface to his question presents us with an interesting premise. If, instead of asking twenty questions, you can only ask one, what is the important question to ask?
Today’s passage is the preface to a question. It presents us with an interesting premise: If you could ask “just one thing” of anyone, what would you ask? The “one thing” approach to asking questions prompts us to think about what you want to know.
Jesus comes to us with a question, too. It is simple and to the point. If I can be allowed to paraphrase what I think he might ask, it is this: “Do you know me?”
Jesus tells us, “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.” (John 14:7) To know Jesus’ Father is to know God (John 10:30).
This question prompts many other connections as well. To know Jesus is to know he is perfect (Matthew 5:48). To know perfection in Jesus is to know how imperfect we are. If we compare ourselves to Jesus and fully understand what it means to love God completely and love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22: 37-40), then we know how completely we have fallen short of God’s will for us.
If we know our shortcomings, then we know what we need. We need someone who doesn’t have our shortcomings to help us out of the ditch we are in. Which brings us back to Jesus’ question: “Do you know me?”
If we know him, we know he is God.
If we know him, we know he is love (1 John 4:8).
If we know Jesus, then we know he is our Redeemer (John 8:28).
Paul’s question is different than our hypothetical question from Jesus. Paul is trying to put the Galatian churches back on track. He wants to draw their attention back to the essential truth of the gospel message. He asks a question all of us need to answer.
But …
But Paul’s question presumes that we know the answer to the question about Jesus. I hope I am safe in saying that people who do not know Jesus do not know the Spirit. How could they?
They might know about the Spirit, but that is not the same thing.
To know someone personally is different than knowing about them. To know God personally is different than just reading a book or listening to a sermon.
To know God is to know Jesus.
Application: Love God above all else and your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)
Food for Thought: If you could ask Paul one question, what would it be, and why would you ask?
Interesting question. To be honest, I don’t have many questions for Paul. I do currently have many questions for Jesus, but I doubt I’ll be asking them when I see Him face to face.
If I were talking to Paul, I might ask about his training under Gamaliel, or ask more details about what happened in the first years after his encounter with Christ – such as his three years training in the Arabia desert, or ask about his conflict and restoration with Peter or John Mark. I might ask theological questions about eschatology. But I think I would be aware that I was talking to a flawed human being.
Thanks Rich!
As I read your comment and I follow your train of thought, I find myself wondering about Paul’s childhood. What kind of kid was he? How was he raised? What was his family like?
Yes, I know that is more that one question. 🙂
Just wondering!
I am curious about the time Paul spent after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus.
Galatians 1:15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.
Sometimes I find myself unintentionally thinking that Paul was graced with the full knowledge of Jesus at the moment of his conversion. That somehow he didn’t need any “untangling.” That it all just “clicked into place.” But in my mind I recognize that Paul was still a human, and humans need untangling. I know I needed, and still need, a lot of untangling. I think about some of the areas in my life, where sin had grow deep roots, and it took years for Christ to change my heart. That it was a process of being presented the truth in a way that I could accept, and Christ building upon it. In that process my faith increased, and as my faith increases, I have been able to turn from sin step by step from a humble heart, genuinely seeking to honor God.
So, I would love to hear Paul’s testimony about the three years. In Romans 10:17, Paul wrote “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” I would like ask him about his faith, how he grew in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord.
Chris,
Thank you for your thoughts this morning!
I like your word, “untangling.” That is very descriptive of the process I’ve gone through in my life. In fact, I am still going though it.
And I agree, the quiet periods of Paul’s life would be fun to know more about. I don’t know that it would add to God’s message, but it would be interesting. Perhaps when we meet up with him in heaven, he will spend some time with us answering questions. 🙂
03-06-2024, If you could ask Paul one question, what would it be, and why would you ask?
This is a tough one. My questions go to Jesus and I often refer to the 13 books in the Bible Paul was inspired to write. Within these books lie answers to many questions I have as I travel this path of transformation. Paul dedicated his life to living in obedience to the revealed will of God. He was uncompromising regarding his life in faith and always a source of encouragement and inspiration. I believe within the Bible are the answers to any question I may have today, tomorrow, and forever.
We are to trust in the Lord, knowing that He is in control, Proverbs 3:5-6. God’s sovereignty is to be a comfort to us, as we live every event knowing His will is being done, live our lives making wise decisions, according to His Word, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:5.
We did not choose Him, but He chose us John 15:16. Not because I am special, but because, when He chose to create this world and mankind, He in His foreknowledge knew my name, knew my choice. Knowing my choice as well as the choice of every human being ever born, God chose to move forward with creation.
Ron,
You make an important point about Paul. He was “uncompromising” in his dedication to the truth! He did not waver or waffle in any way when dealing with the hard issues of the day.
Thank you! Great point!