Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.
Summary: In this passage, Paul lays down a challenge: What or whom do you see in him?
If you heard an ordinary person say these words, you would have every right to question whether or not they were serious. You might rightly wonder if they were being egotistical. But Paul is no ordinary man.
Paul is confident in who and what he is.
The other apostles were different. None of them had been trained in the law like Paul (Acts 22:3). His mind was exceptional, even by today’s standards. His letters testify to the power of his reasoning and the depth of his understanding.
He was courageous and unbending in his devotion to the Lord’s will. When he was told to go to Jerusalem, where he would eventually be arrested and imprisoned, he didn’t hesitate (Acts 20:22-24).
The Lord’s choice of Paul as the “apostle to the Gentiles” was, as you might expect, the perfect choice (Romans 11:13-14, 1 Timothy 2:7). Paul is unique in all of human history. His life is marked by passionate devotion to God, first as a defender of the Old Covenant, and then as an apostle for the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6).
Having met the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19), Paul’s passion for God is redirected to serving the Truth. When he set his mind to serve the Lord Jesus, nothing could deter him.
What Paul believed, he put into action (James 2:13-18).
Paul’s confidence in his words and deeds is so high that he can say in all humility, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.”
Amazing!
But more important than what Paul does or who he is is the “Why?” Why is Paul the person he has become?
The answer, of course, is Jesus.
It was Jesus he encountered on the road to Damascus. It was Jesus who spoke to him through revelation (Galatians 1:12).
It was Jesus who humbled him (Acts 9:15-16) and Jesus Christ who saves him (Romans 7:24-25).
Regardless of who Paul was or what he was, what he wants us to see when we look at him is Jesus Christ.
Application: Study what Paul does, as well as what he says.
Food for Thought: What have you learned from Paul’s words or seen in the stories you’ve read about him that you put into practice, or would like to put into practice?
What have you learned from Paul’s words or seen in the stories you’ve read about him that you put into practice, or would like to put into practice?
Sacrificial Service Enduring so much hardship, opposition, and suffering for the gospel, humbly living his life as a testimony to Christ’s power to change a person from one way to something different. No matter what always pointing to whom deserves the glory.
Well said T.
Thank you, Tim.
I hear you pointing to the battle between self and service to our Lord (and others) that Paul often talks about.
One thing I love about Paul is his consistent devotion to the Lord – whether he be in prison, hungry, well fed, or doing tent making work, or preaching the gospel, or enjoying the hospitality of the church.
As he says in Philippians 4: 11 – 13: I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I 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. 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
For some reason that really speaks to me. As does his consistent passion to pursue Jesus and finish strong.
Philippians 3: 7 – 14: But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in a Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 4: 6 – 8: For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Well said, Rich!
Like a football player running with the ball, life is all the other players trying to tackle us and take us to the ground. Paul never takes his eyes off the goal!
What have you learned from Paul’s words or seen in the stories you’ve read about him that you put into practice, or would like to put into practice?
Paul’s dedication to Jesus and to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through relationships is something I have always admired about Paul. He willingly gave up many things in an effort to bring others into a relationship with Jesus.
1 Corinthians 9:22-23
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
Galatians 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Thanks, Chris!
Sharing the Gospel is sooooo important! 🙂
Great comments this morning!
What have you learned from Paul’s words or seen in the stories you’ve read about him that you put into practice, or would like to put into practice?
All believers are called to get out of the way and allow Jesus Christ to minister through us, to those He brings to us. Like Paul, we were once controlled by our flesh, and have had a personal encounter with Jesus who has given life to our spirits. As transformed believers we are changed and become beings focusing our lives on seeking to become small so Jesus will become large and His truths in word and actions will be seen in our lives.
Romans 6:6 – Our old self was crucified with Him, so that we might walk in newness of life.
Galatians 2:20 – We no longer live, but Christ lives in us.
2 Corinthians 3:18 – We are transformed into His image by beholding Him, not by striving to copy Him.
When we hear the words, “ How can I be like you?” Or “ What can we do for you?” We know they have seen Jesus in us, and can begin to redirect their attention toward the source of all good in our lives, Jesus Christ. This is what Paul is doing when he calls out to look at him. He knows He is far short of the goal, but he is a place to start.
1 Corinthians 11:1–2, Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.
Ron,
You constantly point us to the truth that our real battle is getting the “self” out of the way, so Jesus can shine his love through us.
Thank you!