“Follow me as I follow Christ,” my brother the apostle Paul
said. When I examine the life of the Apostle Paul it is a powerful testament to
living in the fullness of God's promises. Is your personality like Paul’s? What
type of personality are you? Paul was originally known as Saul. He was like
most people today who do not believe that Jesus Christ is God, so he made it
his mission to persecute all Christians to have them deny and reject their
belief in Jesus. Christians all over Israel feared Paul and fled for their
lives. Those whom he captured were cast into prison and some killed.
Paul was a Benjamite, a Pharisee trained under the famous Gamaliel, was circumcised on the eighth day, and was a Roman citizen. He was an extremely zealous follower of Judaism (Php 3:5-6). Paul was a Hebrew of Hebrews. He was a highly educated student of the Scriptures and knew them well. He was a skillful writer, debater, and public speaker. Whole-hearted- Paul was an “all-or-nothing” kind of guy. He was never lukewarm. He either zealously persecuted Christianity or zealously proclaimed it. That zeal was a very good quality when he finally focused his energy on serving Christ.
Paul's Weaknesses
Paul sometimes struggled with pride and had a hot temper.
He said that God put a thorn in his flesh to keep him humble (2 Co 12:7). The
following examples demonstrate this point. On the second missionary journey,
Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them, but Paul disagreed because of a
previous mistake that Mark had made. They eventually decided to split up with
Barnabas and Mark traveling together and Paul was accompanied by Silas. Evidently,
Barnabas was right because Mark went on to be a faithful missionary. Paul also
grew angry with a servant girl who was a fortune teller and cast that spirit
out of her, apparently in anger (Acts 16:18). He wouldn’t leave the prison in
peace when he was wrongfully jailed with Silas, wanting an apology (Acts
16:37). He also was disrespectful to the high priest (Acts 23:3).
I believe that the Lord chose Paul to lead the process of
bringing the gospel to the Gentiles because of his personality. This tells me
that if we want to be successful at anything we must be driven, focused, and
determined. Paul was a zealous persecutor of Christianity. He went from place
to place, dragging believers from their homes to prison. He witnessed and
supported Stephen’s stoning. Jesus miraculously intervened in his life to save
him and transform him completely. Notice how quickly he got baptized and started
proclaiming Jesus.
During this transformative experience, Saul's name was
changed to Paul and he became one of the most influential figures in the early
Christian church, spreading the gospel throughout the Mediterranean world
despite facing numerous challenges and hardships. Through his life, we can
glean important insights into how to live in the fullness of God's promises to
us.
Encounter with Christ
Paul's encounter with Jesus was a pivotal moment in his
life. It was a divine intervention that transformed him from a persecutor of
Christians to a devoted follower of Christ. Similarly, living in the fullness
of God's promises begins with a personal encounter with Jesus. This encounter
changes our perspective, redirects our path, and empowers us to live according
to God's will.
Faith in God's Promises
Throughout his ministry, Paul faced many challenges, including persecution, imprisonment, and shipwrecks. Yet, he remained steadfast in his faith, trusting in God's promises. He wrote in Philippians 4:19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Paul's unwavering faith in God's promises enabled him to persevere through trials and continue his mission.
Surrender and Obedience
Paul's life was characterized by surrender and obedience to
God's will. He often described himself as a "bondservant of Christ"
(Romans 1:1), emphasizing his complete surrender to God. Living in the fullness
of God's promises requires surrendering our will and desires to Him and obeying
His commands. As we align our lives with God's will, we experience His
blessings and the fulfillment of His promises.
Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
Paul's ministry was empowered by the Holy Spirit. He relied
on the Spirit's guidance, wisdom, and strength to preach the gospel and
establish churches. Likewise, to live in the fullness of God's promises, we
need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Spirit enables us to
live victoriously, overcome challenges, and bear fruit for God's kingdom.
Perseverance in Trials
Paul's life was not without difficulties. He endured
hardships, persecution, and suffering for the sake of the gospel. Yet, he
persevered, knowing that God's promises were trustworthy and true. Living in
the fullness of God's promises often requires perseverance through trials. As
we trust in God's faithfulness and rely on His strength, we can persevere
through challenges and continue to walk in His promises.
Focus on Eternal Perspective
Paul had a heavenly perspective, recognizing that his
present sufferings were temporary compared to the eternal glory that awaited
him. He wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light and momentary
troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So,
we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen
is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Living in the fullness of
God's promises requires focusing on eternal values and trusting in God's
eternal plan for our lives.
The life of the Apostle Paul serves as a profound example
of living in the fullness of God's promises. Through his encounter with Christ,
unwavering faith, surrender and obedience, empowerment by the Holy Spirit,
perseverance in trials, and focus on an eternal perspective, Paul demonstrated
what it means to live a life fully committed to God and His promises.
Living in the fullness of God's promises for you is a
profound and transformative experience that requires faith, obedience, and a
deep relationship with God. God's promises are found throughout the Bible,
offering guidance, assurance, and hope to those who believe. Here are some
steps and principles to help you live in the fullness of God’s promises for
your life:
We must know God’s promises by reading and studying the
Bible. The Bible is God's word and contains numerous promises for His people.
Spend time reading, studying, and meditating on the scriptures to understand
what God has promised you. Then you should claim God’s promises, by identifying
the promises in the Bible that apply to your situation or needs. Write them
down, memorize them, and speak them over your life.
We should trust in God’s faithfulness by believing in God’s
character. God is faithful, loving, and trustworthy. Trust in His character and
believe that He will fulfill His promises in your life. Remember past
testimonies by reflecting on the times when God has been faithful to His
promises in your life or in the lives of others. Let these testimonies
strengthen your faith.
Let us seek God’s will and direction by praying continually
and developing a habit of praying and seeking God’s will for our lives. Ask Him
to guide you, reveal His promises to you, and give you the wisdom to understand
and apply them. We should listen to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our
helper and guide. Listen to His promptings, guidance, and direction as you seek
to live in the fullness of God’s promises.
It is great when we obey God’s Word. Living in obedience is
to experience the fullness of God’s promises, it is essential to live a life of
obedience to God’s word. Align your actions, thoughts, and decisions with His
will. As we walk by faith let us trust God even when circumstances seem
challenging or when His promises seem delayed. Walk by faith, not by sight,
believing that God is working behind the scenes for your good.
We should stay connected to the body of Christ by
fellowshipping with believers. Surround yourself with fellow believers who can
encourage, support, and pray for you as you seek to live in the fullness of
God’s promises. While receiving spiritual guidance. Let us seek guidance from
spiritual leaders, mentors, or mature believers who can provide wisdom,
counsel, and accountability in our journey.
Praising and Thanking God cultivates a heart of gratitude. Continually
praise and thank God for His promises, faithfulness, and blessings in your
life. We must declare His promises by saying them with faith and authority over
our lives and circumstances.
Meanwhile, we must be patient and persevere. Let us wait on
God’s timing. God’s timing is perfect.
Be patient and persevere in faith, trusting that He will fulfill His promises
at the right time. As we endure trials and challenges. We understand that
challenges and trials are part of the journey. Endure them with faith, knowing they are opportunities for growth, refinement, and a deeper reliance on
God.
Conclusion
Living in the fullness of God's promises for you is a
lifelong journey of faith, trust, obedience, and relationship with God. It
requires a deep commitment to knowing, trusting, and obeying God’s word, as
well as a willingness to seek His will, persevere through challenges, and
cultivate a heart of gratitude and praise.
As you walk this journey, remember that God is faithful,
and His promises are yes and amen in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20). Keep
your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2),
and allow His word and Spirit to guide, strengthen, and transform you into the
person He has created you to be.
