Paul: The Zealot
Paul, was an all or nothing person. And more often than not, he was an “all in” type of guy. If he set his mind on something, he did it, pressed down, shaken together and running over. Challenges did not paralyse his progress, rather they propelled him further into the vision God had just for him. Today, Paul, the zealot is our teacher ☺
1. Right Idea, Wrong Direction
Paul had a clue of God’s vision for his life. The problem however was his interpretation of this vision.
[…] If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as of zeal, persecuting the church; as of legalistic righteousness, faultless.
Philippians 3:4-6
Paul was concerned with passing on the message of righteousness. This was in alignment with God’s vision for him. However, he was going about it the wrong way. He was preaching legalistic righteousness instead of righteousness by faith and he was persecuting the church. That is, until he had a personal encounter with God.
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, ” he replied. “Now get up and go and you will be told what you must do.”
Acts 9:3-6
What was the Lord’s vision for Paul (then Saul)?
[…] This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel[…]
Acts 9:15
Your Turn
The vision of God for your life is placed where noone can steal it from you. It is placed where you can access it. The vision is hidden in the safest place possible. And that is within you. His vision for your life is not outside of you. But, if you are going to harness it correctly and live it out, you will need a personal encounter with God. This does not have to be a dramatic Damascus type of encounter. It is simply having a relationship with the Author of the vision and yielding to His leading.
Have you had a personal encounter with God?
2. Challenges of Reinvention
Paul had a challenge of identity. Identity, not in his own eyes, but in the eyes of those he persecuted and in the eyes of those he persecuted with.
i) Ananias
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord, ” he answered.
The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! […]
Acts 9:10-15
ii) Jews in Damascus
[…]Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who caused havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him,
Acts 9:19-23
iii) Disciples in Jerusalem
When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles[…]
Acts 9:26-27
Coincidentally, the name Barnabas means ‘Son of Encouragement’ (Acts 4:36)
Your Turn:
Identity and reputation seem to be wrapped up together. Paul’s identity among the believers was not good. They knew him as a persecutor of those who followed ‘The Way’.
Paul had a steep challenge to overcome. The challenge of ‘Who I Was‘ vs ‘Who I Am‘. Regardless of this challenge, he pressed on. He did not give up or allow the doubts of others to slow him down or altogether stop him from living out his God given vision.
Nor did God abandon him as he tried to “rebrand” himself. God sent him an encourager, in the form of Barnabas.
Are you letting your past identity stop you from fully embracing the vision God has deposited in your heart?
3. Challenges of Vision
Part of God’s vision for Paul was this:
I will show him how much he must suffer in my name.”
Acts 9:16
And suffer, he did:
[…] I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressures and concern for all the churches.
2 Corinthians 11:23-28
Yikes!
Your Turn:
We are not all called to suffer. But every God given vision comes at a painful cost. Why? Because greatness is birthed out of pain.
When the challenges of vision come, will you walk away, or like Paul will you hold on and press forward?
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 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. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
4. Run Your Own Race
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Your Turn:
One day, we will each face our Creator. On that day, He will open each of our books. The books He deposited in us. And we will have to give an account for what we did with our books. Did we do what He sent us on earth to do? Or did we become consumed with the lusts of the world and competition with others?
Yes, vision is that serious.
Yes, your life is that serious.
Like Paul, may we one day be able to say:
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying the gospel of God’s grace.
Acts 20:24
For it is only then we will be able to testify:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
Are you zealous about your vision?
PS
To read more on Paul, click on ‘A Tale of Two Men’.