September 24

Paul, the ‘Pharisee of the Pharisees,’ the one whose credentials in the subjugated land of Israel were beyond reproach in the religious hierarchy of this proud people who were under the yoke of Rome came to Christ under circumstances orchestrated from above. The Lord wanted this dynamic individual on His team!

Certainly, Paul had no inclination to join the rag-tag assemblage of believers who were willing to stand up to their national leaders and to the mighty empire that oppressed them. It was his intention to help stamp out the off-shoot of the religion of the One True and Living God that was precious to him.

But when Christ found him on the road to Damascus and turned his life around, Paul became a willing slave of His gospel. He was transformed in the inner man and in the outer man and he gave us insights into the way we can orchestrate our lives to be a sweet symphony to the Lord we love. In Romans 8: 8, 9, Paul lays down some significant points of doctrine and life.

“Those who are living the life of the flesh (as Paul had been—focused on worldly accomplishment and success) cannot please God or be acceptable to Him…you who are living the life of the Spirit, if the Holy Spirit of God be in you, will please Him. Without the Holy Spirit of Christ, you are not His.” Worldly credentials do not gain heaven. True spiritual awakening to the gift of Christ gains all we need.