"Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken [it]." (Isaiah 40:3-5)
"How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery (as I wrote afore in a few words) whereby when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men; as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit ... that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel ..." (Ephesians 3:3-6)
Apostle Paul did not receive the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ from man's wisdom but rather, instead, by the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:12; I Corinthians 15:1) As Paul further notes, he was not only called to be an apostle but "separated" unto the gospel of God. (Romans 1:1) It is important to note that S/Paul had the best of the best education. Indeed, Paul was (by his own admission) the Pharisee of Pharisees.
Nevertheless, the drastic change in Saul (wherein he no longer desired to imprison believers after meeting the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus) was not welcomed by one and all. Not many days were fulfilled after he received meat and was water baptized before the Jews were taking counsel to kill him. (Acts 9:22-26) But not just the Jews but also when S/Paul spoke boldly in the Name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Grecians, these also wanted to slay him too. (Acts 9:28-29)
In another place, Paul is earnestly beholding the council. (Acts 23:1) "But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducee's, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducee's: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducee's say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor Spirit, but the Pharisees confess both. And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, "We find no evil in this man: but if a Spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God." (Acts 23:6-9)
However, in spite of Paul's troubles and imprisonments, Paul is often found encouraging believers, those who were workers together with him to strive not to give offence in anything they do -- so that the ministry would not be blamed. Paul writes, "But in all [things] approving [commending] ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience [endurance], in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in tastings." (II Corinthians 6:1-5)
How does this happen? Because as many of us recognize, it is difficult to move beyond the things of this world -- even when encouraged to do so for the betterment of the ministry. Indeed, this may explain why Paul tells us not to trust to ourselves but in Christ -- "even so [are] we Christ's." (II Corinthians 10:7) And herein is our counsel.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your [our] obedience is fulfilled." (II Corinthians 10:4-6)
"Therefore, I write these things, being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction." (II Corinthians 13:10)
Being perfect, being of good comfort, being of one mind, living in peace -- the God of love and peace being with you.
"By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the Word of truth, but the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report; as deceivers and yet true, as unknown and yet well known; as dying and behold, we live; as chastened and not killed; as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." (II Corinthians 6:6-10)
"By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations -- for His Name; among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ ..." (Romans 1:5-6)
Stand in the offering plate.
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