Apostle Paul was a man of not just words but experiences and convictions. Whenever I read any of his epistles, I wonder at the level of wisdom, insight, and grace he carried.
He was an educated chap, intelligent, resourceful, full of strength and zeal, passionate and determined. He also had a pleasing profession; he was a lawyer.
Here’s a brief background history of Apostle Paul:
Apostle Paul, formerly known as Saul, was born in Tarsus, a major city in eastern Cilicia, a region that was part of the province of Rome. He was a Pharisee, the leading Jewish religious organization at the time. He was well known for prosecuting and punishing the Jews who accepted Jesus as their messiah until his transformation on his way to Damascus.
His encounter on his way to Damascus led to a transformation that changed his life and his course as a prosecutor and lawyer. The Lord Jesus revealed himself to Apostle Paul, and his experience was accompanied by a blinding bright light and a voice.
This experience was the beginning of Apostle Paul’s journey with the Lord. It birthed a new vision and also fuelled his passion and drive for God and the Gospel of Christ.
During his life journey as a believer and disciple of Jesus Christ, he enjoyed God’s presence, which came in the form of revelations, convictions, miracles, deliverances, and the multiplication of grace.
Apostle Paul’s life is a great challenge to any Christian who reads his epistles and desires growth.
Ray of Hope
▪️ Apostle Paul was not searching for God(as it were), but God sought him seemingly against his will.
▪️ Apostle Paul was against the believers and disciples of Christ. Infact, he consented and was a witness to the death of Stephen.
This same Apostle Paul had an encounter when he was not seeking or desiring such. An encounter that changed his life forever.
I bring you good news.
🔹️God is still transforming people, irrespective of how deep and filthy in the clay of sin you are or how far you think you have gone. He is deeply in love with you and interested in you.
🔹️You have a vision to pursue and a purpose to live for, so don’t write yourself off because you are still inscribed in the palm of His hand.
🔹️Your encounter may certainly not come like a blinding bright light accompanied by a loud, audacious voice, as the Apostle Paul experienced, or a small still voice, as Elijah experienced, or the burning of the unburnt bush, as Moses experienced, but God will encounter you.
Apostle Paul never relaxed after he had an encounter. He ensured he was always in the presence of God by being in tune with Him. As he knew his primary assignment, he was driven by the need to accomplish that assignment.
The more he did these, the more his insight, awareness, miracles, passion, convictions, and grace grew and multiplied.
If we desire to grow in grace, convictions, awareness, passion, and insight, then we must be challenged by the life of the Apostle Paul. We must give ourselves to prayer, study the Word, obey the Spirit of God, ensure we are at our place of assignment(vision/purpose), and execute what has been given to us to execute.
The love of God that transformed Apostle Paul and sustained him is evergreen, ever-flowing, and available for all.
