Jacob
2006-12-30 02:53:32 UTC
Paul was an outstanding man and and apostle. He personified his
exhortation to Timothy that he should pay special attention to himself
and to his ministry (1Ti.4:16). He was not so engrossed in his ministry
that he neglected his personal sanctification, and he was not
preoccupied with his own sanctification that he had no thought for
others. He has left us a good example to follow (1Co.10:33;11:1).
Let us take a challenge from some of the things that drove Paul.
His personal goals
* A deep repentance (1Co.15:9,10). The more he thought of the way
he had messed up his life before, the more zealous he was to be
different now.
* The love of Christ (2Co.5:14,15). This was what propelled every
part of his life.
* The knowledge of having to give an account (2Co.5:9,10). Paul had
a great balance between the fear of God and the grace of God.
* To be found in Him, in the resurrection (Php.3:8-11). He wanted
no part of self-righteousness.
* To the prize of the high calling of God in Christ (Php.3:14). He
wanted to reach the highest level of life that anyone could reach.
* To be a partaker of the gospel (1Co.9:23). He was aware that he
needed to experience more of the power of salvation even as he preached
to the others.
* Not to get disqualified at the end (1Co.9:27). He was very much
aware that finishing the race was more important than a dramatic start.
His ministry goals
* Compulsion to preach the gospel (1Co.9:16,17). Paul did not
consider his ministry as an optional extra he could take or leave.
* By all means to save some more (1Co.9:22;10:33). He was always on
the lookout for new openings, new ways, new fields, etc.
* His ministry to be acceptable (Ro.15:16). He knew that the only
acclaim that mattered was what would come from God.
* To preach the gospel without cost (1Co.9:18). Not only to preach
'free' grace but also to demonstrate it.
* To present every man perfect in Christ (Col.1:28). Getting men to
forgiveness of sins was only the starting point.
* To cut off opportunity from his accusers (2Co.11:12). He was
jealous for God's reputation that was at stake through his ministry.
I am sure there are many more things we can learn from Paul's example.
But even these are enough to point us in the right direction, aren't
they? We are all so lazy, indifferent, careless and lethargic compared
to Paul. But we don't have to continue to be like that. We too can
learn, and we too can change. We may not be called to be apostles, and
so our sphere of ministry may be different. But we too can pay careful
attention to our personal lives, and we too can fulfil the ministry
that the Lord has entrusted to each one of us.
http://www.c-n-c.org
exhortation to Timothy that he should pay special attention to himself
and to his ministry (1Ti.4:16). He was not so engrossed in his ministry
that he neglected his personal sanctification, and he was not
preoccupied with his own sanctification that he had no thought for
others. He has left us a good example to follow (1Co.10:33;11:1).
Let us take a challenge from some of the things that drove Paul.
His personal goals
* A deep repentance (1Co.15:9,10). The more he thought of the way
he had messed up his life before, the more zealous he was to be
different now.
* The love of Christ (2Co.5:14,15). This was what propelled every
part of his life.
* The knowledge of having to give an account (2Co.5:9,10). Paul had
a great balance between the fear of God and the grace of God.
* To be found in Him, in the resurrection (Php.3:8-11). He wanted
no part of self-righteousness.
* To the prize of the high calling of God in Christ (Php.3:14). He
wanted to reach the highest level of life that anyone could reach.
* To be a partaker of the gospel (1Co.9:23). He was aware that he
needed to experience more of the power of salvation even as he preached
to the others.
* Not to get disqualified at the end (1Co.9:27). He was very much
aware that finishing the race was more important than a dramatic start.
His ministry goals
* Compulsion to preach the gospel (1Co.9:16,17). Paul did not
consider his ministry as an optional extra he could take or leave.
* By all means to save some more (1Co.9:22;10:33). He was always on
the lookout for new openings, new ways, new fields, etc.
* His ministry to be acceptable (Ro.15:16). He knew that the only
acclaim that mattered was what would come from God.
* To preach the gospel without cost (1Co.9:18). Not only to preach
'free' grace but also to demonstrate it.
* To present every man perfect in Christ (Col.1:28). Getting men to
forgiveness of sins was only the starting point.
* To cut off opportunity from his accusers (2Co.11:12). He was
jealous for God's reputation that was at stake through his ministry.
I am sure there are many more things we can learn from Paul's example.
But even these are enough to point us in the right direction, aren't
they? We are all so lazy, indifferent, careless and lethargic compared
to Paul. But we don't have to continue to be like that. We too can
learn, and we too can change. We may not be called to be apostles, and
so our sphere of ministry may be different. But we too can pay careful
attention to our personal lives, and we too can fulfil the ministry
that the Lord has entrusted to each one of us.
http://www.c-n-c.org