"Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. (Now, concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.) Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. But they were hearing only, 'He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.' And they glorified God in me."
God glorified in you
Once we have been with God in silence,
in prayer, in scripture, we are more ready to live and operate in His love and
grace. Here is the point where strategic
planning, and/or confirmation of ministries can healthfully occur. We should no longer be in that place of just
trying to fulfill our own ambitions.
In Paul’s case, after he had lived and
walked in the revelation of Jesus, he then pursued getting to know Peter. I really doubt he did that so as to be just
like Peter, or get Peter’s approval. I suspect
he wanted to hear more of Peter’s experiences walking with Jesus on earth. Paul’s message did not become Peter’s
testimony. Paul’s message remained the
gospel of Jesus Christ as experienced by him with the understanding of Old
Testament scriptures and their fulfillment.
He already had a vast knowledge of the scriptures, but once Paul really
“got it”, these old texts came alive in a way that enabled him to preach and
explain God’s love for humanity through the ages.
Paul was not preaching out of obligation
or expectations of others, nor was he simply restating someone else’s
experiences and philosophy. He was
preaching Christ alive, now, revealed even in him, the one who had previously
reviled this faith. His reputation
preceded him because his transformation was remarkable and the faith he
preached was the sound, true faith he had once tried to destroy.
Our personal stories are probably not
as radical as Paul’s, so should we take this passage as a simple history? Or is there some principle for application
within these verses? I believe at least
one principle is clear: We have much to
gain from experience with other believers—especially those who have walked with
Jesus longer—but the message we deliver must genuinely come from our own walk
with God. If it does, then our
transformation resulting from that walk will give others reason to glorify God
for his work in us and through us. What
are you currently experiencing in your own walk with God?
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Read
and Pray: Psalm 86:8-13, 2 Corinthians
4:1-7
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