It is not often the smug and self-satisfied who are called to do GOD'S work, for they are too busy attending to their own affairs to hear HIS voice when HE calls them to service, although when HE does, they can be most effective for HIS KINGDOM'S PURPOSES.
Perhaps the best example of such a transformation is the Apostle Paul. Certainly, his resume was impressive, his credentials were impeccable. Above all, Saul (for his name was changed when he came to CHRIST) was thoroughly convinced that he was serving GOD.
Our introduction to him comes in Acts, Chapters 6 and 7 when he is
standing by, keeping the cloaks of those who stoned the first CHRISTIAN
martyr. We see the conclusion of his life in the epistles which he wrote
while he was awaiting martyrdom himself at the hands of the Romans.
During the interim of those two events, much had transpired in Paul's spiritual journey. First, he had been physically blinded so he could see spiritually.
Many of those who are called to service for CHRIST'S Kingdom are also placed at a seeming disadvantage that ultimately becomes their springboard to service for the LORD. Things that appear are not necessarily as they seem in GOD'S equation; rather, things that seem to be become what they are intended to be when they are surrendered to JESUS.
Another thing experienced by Paul was his abandonment by those with whom he had been closely associated. It was perhaps the same ones whose garments he held while they stoned Stephen who turned their backs on him when he became a believer in the MESSIAH.
Like him, many today who receive CHRIST as SAVIOR and LORD are forsaken by those with whom they have been closely associated. Friends, even family members, who do not understand their new-found faith will turn away from what they do not understand.
Like Paul, some espousers of the SAVIOR today will also experience the abandonment of fellow believers. Paul and Barnabas were an effective evangelistic team until a disagreement sent them their separate ways.
GOD'S ultimate purpose was to bring about two teams, but that did not change the reality that the good of having a second team resulted from the frayed relationship of the first. (Paul was accompanied on subsequent missionary journeys by Silas.)
If you, Believer, find yourself in problematic circumstances, if you have besetting problems that seem to limit your opportunities to serve the purposes of the LORD, take heart by the fact that Paul, the one who became the most effective evangelist of all time had similar factors to overcome in his ministry.
Take heart--and become more intent in your resolve to allow HIM to fulfill HIS purposes in you!
Become more resolved to allow HIM to transform you from a Saul who stood by to a Paul who gave his all for JESUS.
During the interim of those two events, much had transpired in Paul's spiritual journey. First, he had been physically blinded so he could see spiritually.
Many of those who are called to service for CHRIST'S Kingdom are also placed at a seeming disadvantage that ultimately becomes their springboard to service for the LORD. Things that appear are not necessarily as they seem in GOD'S equation; rather, things that seem to be become what they are intended to be when they are surrendered to JESUS.
Another thing experienced by Paul was his abandonment by those with whom he had been closely associated. It was perhaps the same ones whose garments he held while they stoned Stephen who turned their backs on him when he became a believer in the MESSIAH.
Like him, many today who receive CHRIST as SAVIOR and LORD are forsaken by those with whom they have been closely associated. Friends, even family members, who do not understand their new-found faith will turn away from what they do not understand.
Like Paul, some espousers of the SAVIOR today will also experience the abandonment of fellow believers. Paul and Barnabas were an effective evangelistic team until a disagreement sent them their separate ways.
GOD'S ultimate purpose was to bring about two teams, but that did not change the reality that the good of having a second team resulted from the frayed relationship of the first. (Paul was accompanied on subsequent missionary journeys by Silas.)
If you, Believer, find yourself in problematic circumstances, if you have besetting problems that seem to limit your opportunities to serve the purposes of the LORD, take heart by the fact that Paul, the one who became the most effective evangelist of all time had similar factors to overcome in his ministry.
Take heart--and become more intent in your resolve to allow HIM to fulfill HIS purposes in you!
Become more resolved to allow HIM to transform you from a Saul who stood by to a Paul who gave his all for JESUS.
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