In this article we are going to draw out some exemplary principles from the life of the Apostle Paul. Paul was the first Christian missionary whose life example has been preserved for us in the pages of Scripture itself. No other apostle has been given as much exposure as that of Paul. It is as if the Lord presents us with this one life, to give us a picture into being a disciple of Christ in this, the church age.
Having that said, not everything about the life of the apostle Paul translates into direct application for our lives today. Three very important considerations must be established.
First, Paul had a unique calling by the risen Lord Jesus Christ Himself, one of which none with a sound mind would dare claim upon themselves or their ministry today. Secondly, his calling was to a specific task, that of having a ministry among Gentiles. This was unique at the time, seeing that up until this point, the focus was primarily Israel-centered, with only allusions to the rest of the world (though we know that God’s focus has always been the entire world). Thirdly, Paul’s ministry was accompanied by miraculous sign-gifts. Many would claim today that this is not unique with Paul, but still happens as we speak. However, it is my personal conviction that this was strictly for the purpose of ushering in the gospel witness among the Gentiles, a unique enterprise, and not for today. Though much of the life of Paul is exemplary and may be applied to us today, these three considerations should be kept in mind to protect us from unnecessary imbalance.
We will now draw out examples from three areas of the life of Paul: 1) his example of commitment to the task, 2) his strategy for the completion of the task, and 3) his prayerful dependence while doing the task.
His Example of Commitment to the Task
Called Out for a Particular Assignment
- Gal 1:15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood; 1Co 1:17 [Christ sent me] “…to preach the gospel…”
- Just like the apostle Paul, we too have a task that we are to take part in: making disciples of all nations. We need to embrace this as one of the objectives of the church during this age, and not try to rationalize it away. Though involvement is required, how one chooses to be involved is determined by many factors. In the end, however, I believe the Lord has given us freedom in how we have a part.
Saw God’s Grace as a Motivation for Obedience
(See Acts-Philemon)
- Rom 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
- Like Paul, the Apostle Peter also understood the impact of grace on his life and the lives of others. This is why he exhorted believer in 2 Peter 3:18: “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” What motivates us to live and do for God? Scripture gives us a few examples of godly motivations. Looking at my own life, I can see why Paul urges believers to be urged by God’s mercy. The more I understand my own worthlessness, coupled with Christ’s worthiness, I can’t help but be driven to obedience out of love for God, as a response to a right understanding of His own love for me.
Fought for the Purity of the Message
- Gal 1:8-9 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! 1Co 15:1,3-4 …the gospel which I preached to you… that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scripture…
- Paul cursed any altering of the gospel message. He fought any inkling of a false condition being added to salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, one that would take away from Christ’s perfect work on the cross. What was the nature of these false additions? Well, for Paul at the time, it was circumcision. Today, it is any man-centered action added as a condition for salvation (personal commitment, giving life, praying, getting baptized, etc.) In a world of tolerance, the church must fight off the urge to become “doctrinally relativistic” when it comes to the gospel. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. As Trevor McIllwain has questioned, will the believer rest the whole wait of his soul’s salvation on Christ’s finished work on the cross? I have been told that there are essentially two religions: do & done. True biblical Christianity is one that rests in what has been done. It is not about what I do for God, but what Christ has done for me, on my behalf. The gospel is about Jesus Christ. We are saved by His sacrifice alone.
His Strategy for Completion of the Task
Driven by the Urgency of the Task
- Rom 3:23 For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Rom 10:13-15 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
- What priority to do you place on evangelism and being a part of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth? What percentage of your resources (time, money, energy, talents, gifts, etc.) do you put towards reaching unbelievers? God has chosen to use humans to reach humans. Paul knew this, and he allowed it to affect his actions. He believed that the lost were really lost, and that God had chosen to use him to reach them. Do you believe that we as believers in the church age have a responsibility to reach the lost? Anything less than this conviction would be a departure from the clear teachings scripture.
Prioritized Going Where No One Had Gone Before
- Rom 15:20-21 And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation; but as it is written, “They who had no news of Him shall see, they who have not heard shall understand.”
- There are many great ministries and missionary efforts out in the world today that are doing amazing things for God. However, reaching the unreached is being neglected because of it. Are we willing as individuals and as a body to make more of a commitment to the unreached? Paul made it his life’s ambition. Would we be so daring to adopt the same ambition for our lives?
His Prayerful Dependence while Doing the Task
- Paul prayed for people all the time (Rom 1:9, Eph 1:16, Php 1:4, Col 1:3, 1Th 1:2, 1Th 3:10). He also challenged believers to be in prayer (Rom 12:14, Php 4:6, 1Th 5:25, 1Ti 2:1, 1Ti 2:8). A study on the prayer life of Paul would be beneficial for any student of scripture. I have been fascinated by the content of some of his prayers for others, and challenged by what he asked others to pray for him. Rather than provide the answers for you, I would challenge you to read them for yourself.
- What He Prayed for Others : Eph 1:18-19, Eph 3:16-17, Php 1:9, Col 1:11
- What He Asked Prayer For : Eph 6:19-20, Col 4:3, 2Th 3:1
What Does This Mean For Us?
The Apostle Paul provides a great example of what it means to follow Christ. Just like the Apostle Paul, we have been given a calling: discipleship of the whole world. Are we going to choose to be a part by offering our lives for service as the rightful response to all he has done? Will we allow ourselves to be driven by the urgency of the task? In choosing to live our lives for him, will we make a priority of going where no one has gone before?
D.T. Niles has said, “Christianity is one beggar telling another beggar where to find food.” We live in a starving world, having the tendency to hoard it for ourselves, gorging on the Bread of life. What changes are you willing to make for the sake of the gospel, or are you?
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