Bffoui PAUL H ow many wonderful truths have been given us by the Holy Spir it through the Apostle Paul! He ex horts us, “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me (I Cor. 4 :16).” The thought of following a man is almost forbidding, especially in re gard to eternal matters. Yet, one may follow Paul w i t h unquestionable safety. To do so is to walk in the very center of God’s will. Paul was impressively practical. He ran to win like a well-trained athlete. He fought the fight of faith like a good soldier. He worked tirelessly as a wise mas ter-builder does. He pressed on with vigor and courage, always accredit ing divine grace as the compusive dynamic. Paul wanted to make the Christian conscious of his privilege and responsibility. As far as prayer is concerned, he not only advanced the principle; he also engaged in the practice. The need for a higher standard of godliness is constant communion with God. Take a look at the apostle in a dark, dingy jail cell. Bars could not break his spirit. Guards could not repress his soul. He required no kneeling pad, knew nothing of cleri cal intonation. His naturalness in prayer betrayed utmost confidence in God’s presence and power. To Paul faithfulness was not a slogan; it was a life. We, too, need to learn that prayer can subdue an unruly temper and a sour disposition. Prayer can give to us a definite conformity to the mind of Christ. We also need to follow Paul in his determination. Listen as he as serts, “I determined to know nothing among you save Christ and Him cru cified” ; “I press toward the mark of the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.” This is a holy 12
resolve and a deep affection for a Pe rson . The academically-minded people of Corinth argued against the purposefulness of God. To them Paul said more about wisdom than is found in any other given portion of the New Testament. “The world by wisdom knew not God,” he insisted. Christ is the incomparable, exclu sive means to life, liberty, happiness and hope. The cross is the only way from the old to the new. What he found so satisfyingly true for him self, Paul determined to make avail able to others. We may follow Paul in his demon stration. There was an impressive symphony of characteristics which enriched the life of Paul. This par ticular word demonstration seems not to occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It means expressly a showing or a pointing out. It is used in this sense in being a beacon light to point people to Christ. This is the outward proof of the indwelling Holy Spirit. While Paul may have lacked oratorical ability and forensic elo quence (by his own admission), the demonstration of the Spirit w a s there. Paul's ministry denied diffi culties, challenged k ing s, opposed councils, and wrought miracles. It is just as available today as it was in early times. The grand old man of the early church was about to bid adieu to his fellow workers, “For now I am ready to be offered,” he solemnly an nounced, “and the time of my de parture is at hand.” What does it mean to be ready to meet the Lord? It presupposes a completed assign ment, constant obedience, and fruit for His glory. It denotes confidence that the work done can stand the test of fire. Indeed, as other transía-
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