The Good Of The Father (No Shame In His Game) #1979

 

For not ashamed am I of the evangel, for it is God's power for salvation to everyone who is believing- -to the Jew first, and to the Greek as well

Paul to the Romans 1: 16, Concordant New Testament 

The other day a good friend reminded me of the power of my own personal testimonies in my writing.  Somehow, when we read of the experiences others have endured, we can relate to those experiences ourselves.  I've mentioned before the evangel of the apostle Paul and how important it is to our own understanding of a life lived in Jesus.  Paul understood this truth all too well.  It is Paul who reminds us in Galatians of the truth of Christ Jesus in us {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Paul understood that it was no longer about him, but about Christ who now lived in him.  I would suggest that the evangel of Paul is made all the more powerful thanks to the apostle relating his own life experiences into his writings.  We know that he was far from being ashamed of speaking his evangel of Jesus to others around him {Paul to the Romans 1:16}.  Of course, we know that speaking these words often landed Paul in trouble with the powers that be of those days.  For he was mistreated and imprisoned simply for speaking his evangel of the Lord Christ Jesus.  Most would have backed away in the face of such mistreatment, but not Paul.  In fact, Paul speaks to rejoicing in our tribulations and difficulties {Paul to the Colossians 1:24}.  I can honestly say that I have retreated from speaking the gospel of Jesus unto others in difficult situations.  There are times that I worry about how my words will be taken.  If I am really speaking the words the Father intends me to.  We can be assured that Paul himself struggled with these same fears as well.  It was during one of these times, as Paul remained in Corinth, that the Lord spoke to him through a vision and encouraged Paul not to be silent in speaking his evangel {Acts of the Apostles 18:9-10}.  As he had done before, Paul persevered.  I've often prayed that my own words spoken of the evangel of the Lord could be as effective and convincing as those of Paul.  However, I can take comfort in knowing that he endured the same trials as I have. 

For me to be living is Christ, and to be dying, gain 

Paul to the Philippians 1: 21, Concordant New Testament 

In my own life, I have noticed more than a few similarities I share with Paul.  I grew up in the mainstream church, learning all about the separation theology of the church.  For his part, Paul spent a good deal of his life studying in the synagogues of the Jewish faith.  It wasn't until that day on the road to Damascus that Paul heeded the call of Jesus Whom he had spent so many years persecuting {Acts of the Apostles 9:1-6}.  By his own admission, Paul came to his realization of his life in Jesus "When it delights God" {Paul to the Galatians 1:15-16}.  Here, God had taken a Jewish zealot and shaped him into one of the strongest voices of the gospel of Christ the world will ever know.  What better testimony for Jesus is there?  In my own life, my own realization of my life in Jesus followed a similar path.  For it was over forty years until it pleased God that He would reveal His Son in me as well.  Yes, there are times that I wish that He had called me unto Him sooner, but who am I to dispute God?  God has transformed this man once akin to frequenting local strip clubs and porn websites into one who speaks the evangel of Christ unto others.  I'd say that's another similarity I share with the apostle.  I also know that I'm not alone in my journey to knowing my life in Christ.  For when it delights God, others will come to know Him as well.  

~Scott~