When we read the words of
Paul the apostle, we may be inclined to think about his early days of
conversion. What was he like? Where did he go? How did he feel when
he knew that he was going one direction so adamantly and now he was
going the total opposite direction? As we have considered his
persuasions toward the Galatian churches, we have discovered some of
these answers, and as we continue to read his words to them, we will
know more about Paul's early Christian days. He wrote in chapter one
and verse twenty-one:
Afterwards I came into
the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
After
Paul's visit with Peter and his meeting with James, Paul left
Jerusalem and traveled northward to the areas of Syria and Cilicia
which border the Mediterranean Sea. Paul didn't stay with the
churches in Judea, but went away to others who were in distant
places. We shall learn in a couple days “But they had
heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preaches
the faith which once he destroyed.” They
only “heard” of
Paul's works because he wasn't around them. Tarsus, Paul's home town
was located in Cilicia, and it is quite possible that he went there
for some time, however, it is interesting to note that Galatia is
just north of Cilicia, and it may have been while he was there that
the idea of reaching Galatia with the gospel came into Paul's mind.
We are not really sure, but it is an interesting thought.
It
is in the times of the mundane and normalcy that God is often
preparing us for the work He has in mind. Though Paul traveled from
place to place in his early Christian days, it was as if he was in
preparation for the missionary journeys he would venture upon during
his commissioned work. All along the way God had His hand upon Paul,
and now that Paul has discovered error in the doctrine being
presented to and believed by the churches in Galatia, he uses his
past, even his normal past, to convey to the church members the grace
of God. It was never about the works of Paul, but rather about the
guiding grace of Jesus Christ that governed Paul's life.
So
when is the last time we took a venture of faith? Have we traveled to
some distant land without regard to the protection of the securities
we are often misled to believe are truly secure? Have we worried over
what others might think should we be led by God in some direction
that may seem foolish at the time? Have we realized that the
Sovereign Almighty God may be using the mundane and normal directions
of our lives to prepare us for even greater exploits in His Kingdom?
Perhaps the testimony of Paul will inspire all of us to wonder, what
will my words be to others “Afterwards”?
Next
time will discover that not everyone knew of Paul when he was
converted to Jesus, so read ahead, and let us join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to
Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it
locally
at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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