Paul’s example should guide Christians to fulfill their calling in 2022.
IT’S WORTH CONSIDERING
Weaken Our Resistance
With the far left in control, they will do everything in their power to weaken all possible resistance so they will be free to impose their Satan-inspired globalist agenda on us. The Constitution has already been shredded; the First Amendment is already dead, and the Second Amendment is under fire (pun intended). They already have control of every aspect of our society except the Church, so guess who is in the crosshairs (this pun intended, too). The days prior to 2020 are gone forever. Christ has already begun the process of purging and building His Church, and He used the Corona Virus to get things started. Many churches that should have closed long ago have closed their doors permanently.
In Paul’s Own Words
Today, I want to look at how Christ is building His Church by focusing on one simple statement of Paul as the end of his ministry approached: But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish the race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).
Paul’s Troubles Continued
Paul had already endured more than we could ever imagine, but his troubles weren’t over. He was about to be victimized by deceptive plots, dragged into sham trials, brought before kings and judges, shipwrecked, and thrown into a Roman prison. But check out the last two verses of Acts: And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
AS I SEE IT
This isn’t just an interesting and inspiring story. Paul often implored those under his care to follow his example, and his words are just as true and applicable to us as they were two thousand years ago. Like it or not, we have entered Paul’s world, so we had better get ready. Paul had received a calling, and it dominated his life. We too have received a calling, and Peter reminded us of what it entails: For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). Paul was simply following Jesus’ example.
The Purpose of our Calling
But there is good news. In 1 Peter 3:9, Peter reminds us that the purpose behind our difficult calling is that we would inherit a blessing. It will all be more than worth the pain. We must be determined to endure to the end. Read through 1 Peter a couple of times and you will conclude that the degree to which we share in Christ’s glory at His Second Coming corresponds to the degree in which we share in the fellowship of His sufferings. Next week we’ll look at what all this has to do with our calling in these challenging days.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
Pretty wild how we used to eat cake after someone had blown on it.
Good Times.
ATTRIBUTIONS
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