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The Apostle Paul
Our Rejoicing Example of Consecration Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.—1 Corinthians 11:1 Wade Austin The consecrated life of Paul is an example for our own consecrated walk. We glean insights from his letters, or epistles, about “the gospel.” Sometimes Paul labeled this “the gospel of God,” sometimes “the gospel of Christ,” but mostly he labeled it simply “the gospel” (Romans 1:1,15,16). That gospel consists of details about God’s plan for blessing “all the families of the earth” (Genesis 28:14, Galatians 3:8), for the salvation of his people Israel (Romans 10:1; 11:26), and for the call of the Church (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2). We will look at the portions of Paul’s letters that instruct us about the effect of the gospel upon our hearts and minds. Specifically, we will consider practical lessons from the words and life of Paul so we heed his encouragement to “be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Knowledge for its own sake is useless. The transforming power of love transcends knowledge: “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2, NIV). Paul said we should reflect as mirrors the glory of God in our lives and thereby be transformed into the image of God (2 Corinthians 3:18, The Living Bible). God is love and we mirror him by loving him with all our heart and soul and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Paul was keenly aware of God’s grace: “When it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus” (Galatians 1:15-17). This shows that Paul believed God chose him and called him solely by grace. Paul emphasized this belief in his many letters and extended it to include all individuals called by God to run for the prize “of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Paul’s letters convey humility and a consuming zeal caused by his awareness of God’s unmerited favor and love to him. From the moment of his conversion his life belonged to God. He determined to serve God and he yielded his life to God a living sacrifice. One powerful reminder to his brethren of God’s grace was when he wrote “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. … He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29,31). It should humble all who hear the call to consecrate to know that even the great apostle Paul considered himself unworthy of the call. Nonetheless, he consecrated himself to his Father’s will with an unwavering zeal. What prompted Paul to dedicate his life, as evidenced by his travels, preaching, and letters? Paul told us unequivocally: “The love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). The central lesson from Paul’s life and writings is the consuming power of God’s love to us and of our love to God. The supreme demonstration of God’s love was the gift of his son. The supreme demonstration of Jesus’ love was his death on the cross. The supreme demonstration of our love to God is when we follow Paul’s counsel: “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1,2). Redemption compelled Paul to love Jesus and to devote his life to the gospel. He wanted all to know the liberating redemption, the core of the gospel: “I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). For Paul, consecration meant obeying the commandment to “love God with all your heart and soul.” God loved first (1 John 4:19), shown by the giving of his son. Only when one grounds himself in God’s love can he be a tool for the master’s use. Once we are humbled by the meaning of redemption, once the unspeakable grace of God pierces our conscience, once God’s love kindles our love to him, then we are ready to be sanctified and offered as living sacrifices. “In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but [also] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use]. So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean]—who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences—will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work” (2 Timothy 2:20,21, Amplified Bible). Through Paul’s writings and example, we learn how to be abased and how to abound, how to wait upon God for direction, and to be used up serving him for the edification of our brethren and the glory of God. Learning of God After Paul was converted, he sought to be alone with God: “Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus” (Galatians 1:16,17). Alone with God, possibly at Mount Sinai in Arabia, Paul’s conversion solidified into a determination to obey God. We should follow this example and become fully committed in our consecration to God. Perhaps no epistle reveals Paul’s mind about consecration as completely as Philippians. Paul wrote that letter while under house arrest in Rome. Some in the church at Rome ostracized him and he wrote, “Some indeed preach … Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:15-19). Yet, in this letter Paul reveals his own joy, and how a life of consecration should be one of rejoicing. As Jesus “for the joy set before him” endured his suffering, so did Paul, and so should we: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5, NIV). Paul used words for joy, gladness, and rejoice at least twenty times in Philippians, more than any other New Testament book. In his outline on the Book of Philippians, Warren Wiersbe described how in life circumstances, people, things, and worries can, like a thief, rob us of joy. Paul’s letter describes what we can do to protect ourselves from these thieves.
In Philippians chapter one, Paul tells us how to rejoice despite
circumstances. In chapter two, how to rejoice despite people. In
chapter three, how things need not rob us of joy. In chapter four, to not
let worry keep us from rejoicing. The wrong attitude about these things can rob
our joy in the blessings of God and his overruling providence for us. Be Single Minded First, Paul said if we have singleness of mind, we can rejoice in spite of circumstances. The circumstances of our lives are often beyond our control. Do we let them make us unhappy or do we choose to rejoice in the blessings God has showered upon us? What can we do to keep circumstances from robbing us of joy? Paul wrote, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). As long as he was in the flesh, Paul would preach the gospel—“for to me to live is Christ.” When it was his time to die, it would be an indication of Paul’s faithfulness and later reward—“to die is gain.” He was single-minded and devoted. Paul could conceive of no alternative, after this life, than to later join the Master in heaven. That Christ was preached caused Paul to rejoice in his circumstances. His arrest and bondage furthered the gospel, and he was glad for the result. Had Paul wallowed in self-pity or anger, his influence for Christ would have been diminished. Do we accept our circumstances, whatever they are, in the same light? Do we see them as permitted by God, and useful in his cause? Do we have this single-minded approach of Paul to serve unwaveringly? In Philippians chapter one, Paul describes three aspects of his attitude that allowed him to rejoice in his circumstances. The first eleven verses speak about our fellowship in the gospel. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (verse three). What blessedness we receive when we can rejoice not only in the plan of God but also in our fellowship in the gospel with others. Sometimes differences of understanding cause testing. Verses nine and ten say we should not avoid differing ideas, but engage and test them with increasing knowledge and ability: “It is my prayer that your love may be more and more accompanied by clear knowledge and keen perception, for testing things that differ, so that you may be men of transparent character, and may be blameless, in preparation for the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:9,10, Weymouth). This is part of the wonderful gift of the brotherhood God gave to assist our spiritual growth. “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Do we behave as if we believe these words? Do our circumstances become an excuse to not preach the gospel, or opportunities to do so? Paul saw his circumstances as contributing to the preaching of the gospel and he encourages the same spirit in us. The final verses of Philippians chapter one encourage us not to fear what others say about us or do to us, as long as we are conducting ourselves properly. As sharers in the gospel Paul admonishes us to stand together in the liberty we have in Christ, not yielding to fear (verses 27, 28). We are to struggle for the faith in a proper way. The Greek word for struggle means to wrestle together with. We do not fight the battle alone, and our struggle is against spiritual wickedness in high places, the rulers of the darkness of this world (Ephesians 6:12). How thankful we are that our brethren struggle together with us.
In summary, in chapter one Paul says that the key to rejoicing in spite of our
circumstance is to be single-minded in fellowship, spreading the gospel, and
standing fast in the faith. Be Submissive In chapter two Paul says we can rejoice in spite of people, by having a submissive mind. As with circumstances, the actions of others are beyond our control. As with circumstances, people may influence us or others, but we should not let their behavior or expectations make us unhappy. Do we lead our lives to please another person? We can rejoice in spite of the behavior of others. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, though being in God’s form, yet did not meditate a usurpation to be like God, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, … humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:3-8, verse 6 from the Emphatic Diaglott). Paul’s words echo the words of Jesus: “Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:27). A submissive mind facilitates our salvation. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). The Greek words phobos and tromos literally mean “fear” and “trembling.” Paul used the same words in Ephesians 6:5-7, “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not … as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.” Though a servant might literally quake under the direction of his master, Paul emphasized that we should serve with humility and submissiveness, not to please men, but to please God. As a servant knows the source of his sustenance, so we must realize that God works in us to perform his good pleasure. The thought of Philippians 2:13 is that God’s spirit creates in us both the desire and the power to execute his gracious will. We should not fear what people may do, or be robbed of joy because of them. “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in gehenna” (Matthew 10:28—gehenna is from the Greek text). We fear the awesome power of God, but we rejoice that this same power works within us to accomplish his will. A meek spirit of humility and submissiveness characterized Paul’s efforts: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). In summary, Paul teaches us in Philippians chapter two that the key to rejoicing in spite of people is to have a submissive mind grounded in the power of God and in his exceeding great and precious promises. Be Spiritually Minded In Philippians chapter three, Paul teaches rejoicing in spite of “things,” which requires a spiritual mind: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth … but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19,20). How many really heed this advice? Some lead unhappy lives because they have a mental image of things they would like, but have not acquired. The key verses in this chapter are 19 and 20: “Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, they exult in their shame, and they think about earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Net Bible). Too often, we may think, “If only I had this thing or that, how much happier I would be.” We know money and things cannot bring true happiness, yet we seek material things and become unhappy when we do not have them. Why? Because we have not fully put on the mind of Jesus: “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). Paul used himself as an example—from the past, present, and the future. Concerning the past, he wrote: “What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. … I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things … that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ … that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Philippians 3:7-11). Paul anchored himself in “the faith of Christ.” He disesteemed all except those things by which he might know Christ and the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings so that Paul could be resurrected with him in glory. Concerning the present, Paul encouraged brethren to emulate his attitude of running a race with singleness of purpose and a spiritual mind: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded … Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (Philippians 3:13-15,17). Concerning the future, Paul focused our attention on the glory we shall have with Christ in heaven: “Our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Philippians 3:20,21). Be Secure In the final chapter of Philippians Paul teaches us that a secure mind defeats worry. Jesus said: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34, NIV). Worry cannot rob us of joy if we believe that “Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38,39). Similarly, in Philippians chapter four, Paul wrote: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds” (Philippians 4:6,7, NIV). The first eight verses of this chapter truly picture the mind of Christ. They reveal to us the attitude of Christ, and the peace of mind he had because of his attitude. His attitude was the foundation of his trusting relationship with God. If we believe he “worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11), then we need not worry about God’s providence. Let us not get distressed at roadblocks to our efforts to serve, but rejoice, confident that his purpose will be accomplished. To have a secure mind we must have right praying, right thinking and right living. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6, NIV). Paul does not tell us to pray simply about trials. Our prayers for help should include adoration, praise, appreciation, and thanksgiving for God’s grace on our behalf. By prayer we can overcome worry and secure peace of mind in the midst of perplexity—as Daniel did in the midst of his difficulties. “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Paul also wrote about right thinking: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true … honest … just … pure … lovely … of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Discourses, books, even courses of study, have been developed on the powerful content of this verse. If you find yourself doing wrong thinking, then set a goal to study this verse and learn in depth the meaning of these things. Concerning right living: to learn a matter is one thing, but to receive it is another. Paul desired that we receive his counsel in our inner man and embrace the principles learned in the Word of God: “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:9). To hear something good about a person brings joy, but to observe the good deeds of another inspires us. We want to pursue the same dedication and purpose. Likewise, we can and should influence others by leading noble lives devoted to glorifying God. Right praying, right thinking, and right living, will give us the peace of God which passes all understanding. By these things we can attain a secure mind, a worry-free mind, that will transform us into the image of Christ. If we do not have right praying, thinking, and living, then circumstances, people, things, and cares of this world will rob of us our joy and peace in the Lord and hamper our relationship with God. It will become increasingly difficult to talk with God. We may fret about what others think of us, because we are not thinking correctly. We may agonize about what they think of our poor behavior, or if they are unaware, torment ourselves over whether they will find out. Like Paul, let us talk with God daily, meditate upon his goodness and the beauties of his creation, and reflect the glory of his countenance in our lives—as Moses’ face shown after being in the presence of God. The brightness of Moses’ face faded, and he veiled his face so the Israelites could not see the brightness diminishing. But we brethren have an everlasting covenant and hope of eternal glory. So let us not veil our faces, but go forth daily rejoicing in the splendor of God and reflecting that splendor. By his grace we are being changed from the glory we behold to the same glory through his spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). Paul’s life, in word and deed, is a noble example of a consecrated life for us all. If the cares of this world—circumstances, people, things, worries—rob our relationship with our heavenly Father, then let us turn to Paul’s letters, especially Philippians. Consider it a manual on “How to Lead a Rejoicing Consecrated Life.” This letter tells us that a single mind, a submissive mind, a spiritual mind, and a secure mind, allow us to emulate Christ and be obedient unto death. Strive faithfully, and obedience will yield the fruit of joy. If we be dead with him, then we shall live with him. If we suffer with him, then we shall reign with him to bless “all the families of the earth.” |