God was number one in Paul's life. I don't know about you, but that can be a pretty difficult thing to
do. It's so easy to put other things in that number one place in our lives: school, work, family,
friends, relationships, anything that we find important. But Paul shows us that when it's all said and
done, the onlything that matters is our relationship with God and that He is number one in our
lives.
5. What it takes to be with God forever
Building off of point #4, we know that Paul recognized the importance of a relationship with
Jesus. He also recognized that's what's going to get us into Heaven. He shows us that there is a
difference between knowing something about Christ and actually knowing Him on a personal level.
In Philippians 3:9-10 Paul writes, "..that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a
righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ- the
righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith." In other words, Paul realized what is so
hard for us to understand: We can't do it on our own. Our own good works and merit isn't enough to
get us into Heaven because we're not perfect, nor did Jesus die for us to be perfect. Good works is
the product of faith in Jesus Christ, and salvation is about a relationship with God. Knowing Him is
the goal.
6. Our past doesn't define us.
I've heard it said, "Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future."
It's pretty clear that Paul had a very dark and wicked past, but he didn't let that define him. Instead,
he grew and learned from it and was transformed into an incredible man of God. In Philippia ns
3:13, Paul writes, "...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." One thing I
have recently learned is that Satan is not God, he just wanted to be God. So since he isn't God, he
cannot see what is in front of us, so that only leaves one weapon for him to use: our past. He's
gotten good at it too; putting the thoughts of "I'm too far gone for God to use me" or "I've made
too many mistakes for God to love me" into our heads. However, our past mistakes do not define us.
They only provide opportunities for us to grow. God knows we are imperfect people, so He will love
us regardless, and nothing that we can do will ever change that.
7. The importance of quiet time.
Paul wanted to know more and more of Jesus. He spent quality time with Him as often as he could.
In Philippians 3:10-11, Paul writes, I want to know Christ- yes, to know the power of his
resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow,
attaining to the resurrection from the dead." Paul knew that the only way that he would get to
know God on the level that he wanted to was by spending time with Him in His Word and through
prayer. Paul shows us the importance of quality time and that it results in knowing Christ
intimately and personally.
8. How to care for others
Paul's life and his works make it evident to us that he cared for others.
Acts 17:16 says, "While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that
the city was full of idols." Because Paul had a heart for the Lord, he also had a heart for His people.
In Paul's engagement with others, he didn't act as though he was better than them, but instead
fueled his conversation with compassion. This is an important thing to learn from Paul, especially
in our interactions with others about faith. Nothing about it should be condemning, but instead out
of genuine love and compassion for God and His people.
9. Humility
One thing that really sticks out to me about Paul is written in Philippians 3:12. Pauls says, "Not
that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold
of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Now if there was anyone that could brag about
how on fire they are for God, of all the good things that they have done for Him, or all that they
have surrendered for Him and accomplished through Him, it could be Paul. But Paul recognizes that
he still has room for growth and doesn't let pride consume him. Paul's humility amazes me and it is
something that we can definitely learn from and aspire to.
Continue…
Jeremiah 30:17
13
'For I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds,' declares the LORD, 'Because they have called you an
outcast, saying: "It is Zion; no one cares for her."