as it seems to go like this: " " Where Is God?" You know what ? God Is Right There! Many of us know jus what is taking place when all those things has surely run completely ran through our minds in those very difficult times that either has come by what we have done from those things in our past, or circumstances, situations that has hit us without knowing answers that only one has to be searching for in thier own lives that had taken place long before that awful situations or circumstances that had reared it's very ugly head at us. Often times enough it's just that there is nothing there but the way the hard times has hit us and the only way to see is to know that we'v done all that we could do in one's own life and for the person just to depend on God to see us through those very hard times and by the world's standards it's falling away at this moment in time by the hand of God for either a wake up call to get ones own attention or see if they will come unto Him in having Him in His plan of all those people to be have repentence in the plan of "Salvation" in one's own "Repentence in being "Obedient" only unto the Lord Jesus Christ in all that is within them in having God helping them in spirit and in His truths to fully know what He's called them to do in the persons own life as Jesus Christ takes them to higher levels in going home to be with Him through all eternity. What's so sad is this that more than millions of people reject Him only to find themselves in God's Judgement throne in facing life in Hell without No Peace, No Love just torment daily that last forever in many of those lost lives. Oh, How knowing that just makes me cry for them! Ican hardly take it but the only relief is knowing this ..They rejected our Precious Lord Jesus Christ in that persons life and wanted NO part of Him and have followed the "Anti-christ" teachings. How sad it is for them at that time! He's not nothing but a flat out liar, a stealer, thief and he tricked them into believing him that is or has been covered up by his schemes and degradations that is covered, smeared, that God's truth was not in them anymore or ever cared enough to see him at his very hard solutions to get them where he wanted them in the first place. But the good news is today we all have a chance to turn it all around in the Lord Jesus Christ before our time has run out for us or those whom now find themselves in that pit. We know that one of the "Apostles" had done simliar things in life as he himself had found the Lord and had a very deep conversion which absolutely changed his very own life. That one man was "Paul" The best evidence for Paul's claim to have received his gospel by revelation from Jesus Christ is his conversion. The dramatic change in his life demands some explanation. How could such a fanatical opponent of the followers of Christ become such a devoted preacher of the gospel of Christ? Paul explains that the cause of such a radical change was God's gracious revelation of his Son to him. To appreciate the impact of God's intervention in Paul's life we need to look more closely at three pictures Paul gives of himself: (1) the picture of himself before his conversion; (2) the picture of his encounter with Christ; (3) the picture of himself after God called him.
1. Paul reviews the record of his pre-Christian life in order to show the wonder of God's grace. Twice he refers to his past as his life in Judaism. Although he never ceased to identify himself as a Jew ("I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin"--Rom 11:1), he only used in Judaism as a way of describing his life before he became a new creation "in Christ." The term Judaism was used in Jewish literature for "the Jewish way of belief and life" as contrasted to the way of life in Hellenism. In other words, the distinctive Jewish beliefs and customs which established the boundaries between the Jewish people and the rest of the Hellenistic world were of supreme importance to Paul before his conversion, but they were of no importance after his conversion. Jewish identity markers such as circumcision, kosher food and sabbath observance were Paul's primary concern before his conversion; but they were no longer significant for Paul after he found his new identity in Christ. As he declares at the end of his letter: "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation" (6:15).
The contrast between Paul and the Galatian believers stands out in bold relief here. As a Jew, he had turned from his preoccupation with the distinctive Jewish way of life to serve the risen Christ; as Gentiles, they were turning from their focus on Christ to a preoccupation with the distinctive Jewish way of life. No wonder Paul calls them "foolish Galatians" (3:1).
Paul draws attention to two characteristics of his previous way of life in Judaism: his intense persecution of the church (1:13) and his zealous devotion to Jewish traditions (1:14). The two are connected. The message of the church, that a crucified Messiah provides salvation for all, contradicted the traditions of Judaism. Certainly a Messiah on a Roman cross contradicted the Jewish expectation of a Messiah on David's throne. And Jews believed that salvation was to be found only in the law-observant Jewish nation. No wonder then that Paul's zeal for the Jewish traditions made him a fanatical persecutor of the church.
This description of his former life has direct application in the development of his argument. The Galatian believers' preoccupation with Judaism is challenged by this alarming picture of the consequences of devotion to Judaism in his own life. And his point that the gospel he received was not from human beings but by revelation from Jesus Christ is confirmed by this picture of a fanatic who was so opposed to the gospel that no one could have changed his mind except God himself.
2. In his description of his former life, Paul himself is the subject of all the verbs: I persecuted . . . tried to destroy . . . I was advancing . . . and was extremely zealous. In contrast to Paul's ego-centered former life, God himself is the central subject in Paul's conversion. God is the subject of all the verbs: God, who set me apart . . . called . . . was pleased to reveal. God abruptly interrupted Paul's life and turned him around.
As we study Paul's account of his conversion, we can observe four dimensions of God's work in conversion. Of course, Paul's experience of conversion was unique and cannot be used as a model for all to follow. God works in unique ways with each individual. But Paul's account does shed light on the nature of God's gracious work in conversion.
First, God's choice precedes conversion. Like the prophets, Paul sees himself as set apart by God from his birth for his prophetic role (see Is 49:1 and Jer 1:4-5). Although he recognizes that his former life was lived in opposition to God's will, he still claims that his entire life is part of the sovereign plan of God. We may not be able to explain this apparent contradiction, but we can learn from Paul that the sovereignty of God is never an excuse for rebellion against God; it is a basis for trust in God's wisdom and love. As an old hymn puts it, "We'll praise Him for all that is past / And trust Him for all that's to come."
Second, God's decision to set Paul apart from birth led to the life-transforming event of God's gracious call. The two parallel phrases (set me apart . . . called me) teach us that conversion is based on God's loving initiative. Before Paul was born, God chose him. While Paul was trying to destroy the people of God, God called him. That is the meaning of grace: undeserved love. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!"
Third, God's gracious call led to revelation: God was pleased to reveal his Son in me. The inwardness of God's revelation stressed here by the phrase in me should not be taken as a contradiction of Paul's claims elsewhere to have seen the risen Christ (1 Cor 9:1; 15:8; see also Acts 9:1-19; 22:3-16; 26:12-18). Paul strongly affirmed the external, objective nature of his encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road. But in that encounter, Paul says, God "made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Cor 4:6). God's revelation of his Son in Paul illuminated his mind and heart so that he saw and knew Jesus to be the Son of God. Paul's exclamation "Christ lives in me" (2:20) expresses the lasting result of this inward encounter with the living Christ. The danger of substituting external observance of the law for this intimate relationship with Christ is the central burden of Paul's message to the Galatian believers. His lengthy arguments lead to this point: "God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts" (4:6). His severe warnings alert them to this danger: "You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ" (5:4).
Fourth, Paul says that revelation was given so that I might preach him among the Gentiles (1:16). Paul's conversion included his commission to preach the gospel. He did not have a two-stage experience: first conversion, sometime later a commission to preach. His mission to the Gentiles was given to him in the initial experience of conversion. Christ met him on the road to Damascus in order to send him on his mission to the world. As a result Paul interpreted the gospel itself in the light of his mission to the Gentiles. He called his gospel "the gospel to the Gentiles" (2:7).
God's revelation of his Son is a personal, inward experience of the heart, but it was not meant to be kept private. The purpose of revelation is evangelism. The fruit of true conversion is mission. Evangelism is not some optional extra, an elective course that may or may not be taken. It is the inevitable result of real conversion. There is a centrifugal force released in the experience of conversion which compels the truly converted to participate in God's mission to the world. Too often in testimonies the only results of conversion we hear about are the personal benefits: my peace, my fulfillment, my freedom. But we learn from Paul that God's primary purpose for our conversion is to send us out into the world with the good news about Christ. Our involvement in God's mission in the world is the best testimony to God's gracious work of conversion in our lives.
3. The conclusion of Paul's conversion story is that after his conversion he did not consult any man. The phrase any man in the NIV is a paraphrase for "flesh and blood." When Peter affirmed that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood [by man--NIV], but by my Father in heaven" (Mt 16:17). Now Paul claims that the same thing is true for his revelation from God.
We can catch the flow of his argument so far by summarizing it this way. The thesis that I did not receive the gospel from any human being but by revelation from Jesus Christ (1:11-12) is demonstrated by the following facts: I was opposed to the church before my conversion (vv. 13-14); in my conversion, God himself revealed his Son in me; and I did not consult with the church after my conversion (vv. 15-17). Paul's argument is designed to show that he is not dependent on or subordinate to any other church leaders for his authority to preach his gospel to the Gentiles. His authority is derived from the gospel that had been revealed to him by God. Therefore when the Galatians turn away from the gospel preached by Paul, they are turning away from God.
Paul is especially concerned to prove that he was not dependent on the original apostles in Jerusalem. He denies that he visited them immediately after his conversion (v. 17). Perhaps Paul is responding here to an accusation that his failure to require circumcision was a departure from the true gospel that he had been commissioned to preach by the original apostles in Jerusalem. It's difficult to know what accusations, if any, Paul is responding to in this part of his argument. But we can be sure that whether Paul is on the defensive or on the offensive, he is determined to prove that his gospel was given by divine revelation, not human tradition, and that his commission to preach this gospel to the Gentiles was part of that divine revelation. He did not receive his commission from the original apostles. While he recognizes the original apostles' priority in time, he adamantly denies that they or their messengers have any authority to change his gospel to the Gentiles, since they are not the source of that gospel--God is.
Instead of visiting the original apostles in Jerusalem after his conversion, Paul went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus (v. 17). It seems clear from the context that Paul is setting up a contrast between going to Jerusalem to receive teaching from the apostles and going to Arabia. Does this contrast imply that during his time in Arabia he received teaching from the Lord? Many commentators have thought so, and it seems a reasonable inference to draw from the context. But we must admit that Paul does not disclose what happened during the time in Arabia. Those were hidden years, at least hidden from any public, historical record.
In our day, when celebrities are converted, the religious media rush to publicize their conversions for the widest possible audience. Put them on TV; feature them in prime-time talk shows. But this immediate publicity can be dangerous to the spiritual health of new converts. Under the harsh, glaring lights of the media they have no space to think through the implications of their new faith, to work through their inconsistencies and to listen to the Lord. They sometimes feel used and abused. They need time, as we all do, to be hidden from the public eye in order to grow and deepen in their faith. Hidden years seem to be part of God's plan for his servants. Moses spent forty years in the desert before his day of fame in Pharaoh's court. As we move on in the Word of God we need to see how as our life changes as Our God and His Son Jesus Christ moves us forward in Him. 12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 KJV.
Expresses earnest desire to be found in Christ; also his pressing on toward perfection; and recommends his own example to other believers.
This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned as if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect in the Saviour's likeness. He forgot the things which were behind, so as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expressions showing great concern to become more and more like unto Christ. He who runs a race, must never stop short of the end, but press forward as
fast as he can; so those who have heaven in their view, must still press forward to it, in holy desires and hopes, and constant endeavours. Eternal life is the gift of God, but it is in Christ Jesus; through his hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by him. There is no getting to heaven as our home, but by Christ as our Way. True believers, in seeking this assurance, as well as to glorify him, will seek more nearly to resemble his sufferings and death, by dying to sin, and by
crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts. In these things there is a great difference among real Christians, but all know something of them. Believers make Christ all in all, and set their hearts upon another world. If they differ from one another, and are not of the same judgment in lesser matters, yet they must not judge one another; while they all meet now in Christ, and hope to meet shortly in heaven. Let them join in all the great things in which they are agreed, and wait for
further light as to lesser things wherein they differ. The enemies of the cross of Christ mind nothing but their sensual appetites. Sin is the sinner's shame, especially when gloried in. The way of those who mind earthly things, may seem pleasant, but death and hell are at the end of it. If we choose their way, we shall share their end. The life of a Christian is in heaven, where his Head and his home are, and where he hopes to be shortly; he sets his affections upon things above; and where his
heart is, there will his conversation be. There is glory kept for the bodies of the saints, in which they will appear at the resurrection. Then the body will be made glorious; not only raised again to life, but raised to great advantage. Observe the power by which this change will be wrought. May we be always prepared for the coming of our Judge; looking to have our vile bodies changed by his Almighty power, and applying to him daily to new-create our souls unto holiness; to deliver us from our
enemies, and to employ our bodies and souls as instruments of righteousness in his service.
We must never lose sight of the call of God upon our lives, the love of God in our lives. Even in the darkest hour, we must move forward - as Paul learned to do - trusting God’s call, His power and His love.
For my own life I've reached those simliar thoughts and ideas in my own personal life just as any person or person whom reads this for themselves when that very darkest hour has come and showing it's rutless head at me I often times have had to look at God's truths for my own self and see Him in my own spirit as God helps me to trust Him as He is taking me futher in the Holy Ghost and rely on Him as He keeps me under His wings as we soar together as I grow even in that very hard difficult time in my walk in God. And it has seemed like there was No possiblities in changing at all, but God has alway's delievered me and my husband onto something far better that I could have seen. He's with me today as He has been when that conversion had taken place at that time. He's sown not only myself but with the husband as well. We've had a home with many materials stuff in it , lost cars, motorcycles, trailers that had housed all of our scooters. and the futher we watched it all go away and depleted in our lives, and finances as well. He's still kepts us and fed us, pay the bills, bought a car with mounting doctor bills etc. He is and was with us each step of the way. Some of what had happened to us wasn't our fault, it had came by person whom have had power, and every means to destory us in our own family unit that came on money and greed which had it own deep greed of which brought on by what they wanted but only deprived someone else a heavy loss indeed. It had almost taken someones life by what had happened but by God's grace they had been lifted up and out of that despair n sickness that had come unto them. By depending on God through it all will only be brought out by trusting Jesus Christ and through prayers of the saints whom believe as well. It is a life worth living as a believer of Jesus Christ especially in these very hard days that we live in. I , personally Thank and Praise Jesus Christ in my ownership as He keeps leading this family ahead in Him. I'm looking forward in His coming for everyone of us one day, and as each day hines forth I'm ever so praying for All people to be saved and following Him to see that New Jerusalem that's coming for all, It's Him to say that's "It's time to bring My children Home" what a feast it will be!
