> General Discussions
Why Paul?
Kat:
Good topic Joe,
really gives you a better understanding of Paul.
I think Paul was being prepared all his life, for the very purpose, of spreading the gospel to the Gentiles,
and now to us by the scripture.
As Gena said,
--- Quote ---He was a Roman citizen, could read & write, parents were well off, intelligent, single. He did have a good resume for an author!
--- End quote ---
I believe God had caused Paul to be trained or educated,
and then to experience what he needed to know,
so that he was able to do what was necessary, to carry out the work that he was given to do.
He was familiar with the Gentiles, even if it was through persecuting them.
He really had to be made humble,
to turn around and go to the very ones he had persecuted so badly,
and now teach them the gospel and show them he really loved them.
Eph 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you gentiles.
v.2 Surely you have heard about the responsibility of administering God's grace that was given to me on your behalf,
v.3 and how this secret was made known to me through a revelation, just as I wrote about briefly in the past.
v.4 By reading this, you will be able to grasp my understanding of the secret about Christ,
v.5 which in previous generations was not made known to human beings as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets:
v.6 The gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow sharers of what was promised in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
v.7 I was made a servant of the gospel by God's special gift, which He gave me through the working of His power. (Acts 9:3-6 His convertion on the road to Damascus)
v.8 I am less than the least of all God's people; yet God gave me this privilege of taking to the Gentiles the Good News about the infinite riches of Christ, v.9 and of making all people see how God's secret plan is to be put into effect. God, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages,
v.13 I beg you, then, not to be discouraged because I am suffering for you; it is all for your benefit.
This gives us a lot to consider, Paul truly had great understanding given him.
mercy, peace, and love
Kat
SandyFla:
Rene and Longhorn,
I was thinking the same thing. If God could save the worst of sinners and use him in such a marvelous way, then there is hope for the rest of us. :)
Sandy
Deborah-Leigh:
Hi everyone
Dogcombat..I like what you've written..."Christ proves again that the calling and choosing are of God not ourselves."
Joe could you have perhaps also have asked Why Judas.....?
.....Why Pharoah....why John the Baptist...why the cloud of witnesses, why you,
why me, why them why anyone at all......Good questions....WHY?...We are Gods family in His making! :)
And why Jesus!.... ;D.....why Adam, why Eve...The First and Last....
A very good thought provoker...!
Arcturus :)...
hillsbororiver:
Great comments all, thank you.
What was on my mind as I was posting this was how Paul was an example of being dragged to the Lord, in a rather extreme fashion I must add. Ray has mentioned this many times, what part of Paul's "free will" decided to "come to Jesus?"
I see Saul/Paul conversion as a type of everyone, anyone who has ever lived, is presently alive, and who will be born into this world. The Lord will at some point make Himself very evident to even the most coldhearted, blasphamous, selfish, whatever anyone could consider the worst type of sinner, not only making Himself known and then promptly tossing them into an eternal hellhole but to SAVE THEM! To transform them into a Son or Daughter of God!
Yes, why any of us indeed. Paul is a perfect example (for those with eyes to see) that being saved (in this age or the next) has nothing to do with the Lord having our consent and cooperation, it is all Him. It is His mission to bring all the Father's children to Him, He will not fail.
He is the most prominent writer in the NT, churches quote from his books constantly but it seems not many connect the dots as to how the plan of salvation is being displayed in the conversion of Saul to Paul.
Thanks again everyone.
His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe
mongoose:
I used to get real angry at God over the whole deal He did with Paul. Well, perhaps angry isn't the right word but it's close...sort of confused and very very irritated anyway. It was when I was trying to fit into the churches and they kept talking about the whole hell thing. I was trying to be "good" and "believe" what they were teaching. Obviously, Paul wasn't intending on converting while walking down the road that day and it seemed like if the hell thing was true, God was a respector of persons and playing favorites. Kind of a "look what I can do with someone who totally hates me; ha ha ha, I refuse to take care of all these other people the same way; I'd rather watch them burn." There was some sort of muddled explanation about how Paul actually wanted to convert... which obviously couldn't make sense because it is so totally untrue. I couldn't even follow it.
Of course, He also waited for me to be totally and insanely angry at Him and to tell Him that I'd rather spend eternity in hell than one minute with such a monster before He really started pulling me back to Him. I still cringe that I said that to Him :-[. Anyway, God definitely doesn't wait until it's what we want, and He doesn't seem impressed with being told No. I know I had no choice...and ironically enough, with all the fear people seem to have of being "puppets" that's the thing that comforts me the most when I have doubts. When I think about that, I realize that God really is in control and must really love us, otherwise He would've been angry at me for that. Instead He was so loving and started healing and teaching me. This journey He has us on is hard and confusing at times....but so amazing. :D
Love in Christ,
mongoose
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