Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters…
Summary: Reading about Paul’s life in the Book of Acts reveals a portrait of a man who is not only devoted to Jesus Christ but can maintain that devotion through every hardship.
As I read Paul’s words in this passage, my mind wanders to the question: “What was Paul like?”
What kind of person was he?
What, exactly, was the example that he set?
We have only two sources of information about Paul in the Bible. One is Paul’s own words in his letters, and the other is Luke’s account of Paul’s ministry recorded in the Book of Acts.
Paul claims that he presses “on toward the goal … for which God has called [him]” (v. 14).
Does he?
Perhaps the best example of Paul “pressing on” is when he is called to go to Jerusalem and then to Rome.
Luke records this:
“Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, ‘After I have been there, I must also see Rome.’” (Acts 19:21 ESV)*
At first, all Paul seems to know is that he has to go to Jerusalem and Rome. Later, the Spirit reveals more:
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.” (Acts 20:22-23)
Finally, after being taken prisoner by the Roman guard in Jerusalem, the Lord reveals the rest of the plan:
“The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’” (Acts 23:11)
Years of unjust imprisonment would follow. Paul’s ministry appears to be at a standstill. Yet, with the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul continues to preach the good news of Jesus Christ at every opportunity.
Paul’s example shines through every letter he wrote while in chains for the Gospel. He never wavers. His faith in Jesus Christ is rock solid. It doesn’t matter to him that he is unfairly imprisoned, if that is what serves the Gospel and his Lord Jesus.
Later in this letter to the Philippians, he will tell us how all this is possible when he writes:
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13)
Application: Keep Paul’s example in mind while reading his words in the Bible.
Food for Thought: How does Paul’s example apply to ordinary people like you and me?
*We used the ESV translation here because the NIV is one of the very few translations that omit the reference to the Spirit.
Good question. I think Paul is an ordinary person like you or me. I think we tend to (I often do) think of Paul as this super human with super abilities far above our own. But he isn’t. He is just an ordinary person whom God made extraordinary. That is what God is in the process of doing with all of us. He may not call us to be apostles like Paul, but he can use us to do His will and accomplish His purposes. He can work in us to mature us in the faith and also work through us – just like with Paul. We are all partners in the gospel.
Philippians 1: 3 – 6: I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Thank you, Rich.
That is an important point. Paul may have been gifted with a personality that included being super persistent, but there is nothing he did that is out of the realm of possibility for the rest of us.
How does Paul’s example apply to ordinary people like you and me?
Paul is an example of the power of Christ in the life of a highly committed non-believer. He was not only a non-believer of Christ, he proudly pursued a life as the most anti Christ, persecutor of believers of his time.
Philippians 3:5-6, Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
Acts 8:3, As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
Acts 9:1-2, Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
In Acts 9:4-16, We are able to read the rest of this story. Paul is on his way to do what He does and Jesus calls a meeting with him. The result is, Paul does a 180 degree turn around and is empowered by God to become possibly the greatest supporter, preacher of Jesus Christ on earth. God surrendered all he was, all he possessed, to God and in obedience, empowerment of God, he preached and wrote the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ.
God calls and uses the most unlikely of people to serve His purposes on earth. We are all dedicated to feeding our self image as we seek the praises of those around us, and accumulate things. God, in the power of the Holy Spirit,
John 16:8, called each of us and we have an opportunity to choose our future. All those choosing to turn from existing in the flesh, to LIFE in the spirit, will like Paul, experience an life changing turnaround as we become eternal children of God looking foreword to the moment we will receive eternal rest in His presence.
Thank you, Ron!
It is so encouraging that God can take any of us and use us for his purposes!