Saul was a man who experienced the light of Christ, the love of the Father, and the boldness of the Spirit. From that encounter, everything about him changed-including his name. Saul saw God (though he was blinded physically) and by the power of God became known as Paul. By the same power, Paul journeyed and preached against Saul and for salvation. To me, his life is convicting for so many reasons.
Perhaps the most powerful though is his example of dedication and devotion. He was devoted to God's Word because God spoke to Him. His life was special, not because of himself, but despite himself. In his own power, he persecuted Christians and the church. In God's power, he proclaimed and preached for the sake of the church.
Paul was always praying and preaching because of the power He encountered and the problems he faced. We have been refreshed by Christ but are we being stretched by Christ?
"May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
-Colossians 1:11-14
When the Spirit speaks through Scripture it is heart-breaking but humility-building. It is self-executing, because it is Christ-exalting. God's Word is the sole source of strength over self but it also stretches self. Still, there is the offer of being refreshed that comes with the call to follow Christ. With that, here is a song that puts into perspective the work that is yet to be done in light of the work that Christ finished.
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