28. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
We looked at the methods Paul used to spread the message. His suffering and proclamations, his admonishing and teaching was in wisdom that came from God for the main purpose - to bring people to wholeness in Christ, to be perfected by His grace. It was to elicit change into Christ likeness.
This spiritual activity is not possible without the power of Christ working in him. Paul had supernatural filling. He knew how to teach. He knew how to admonish. He knew how to proclaim the Torah and the teachings of the Rabbis when he was a respected Pharisee, but he did not know how to change hearts, only how to enforce legal restrictions. Now he saw the power of God changing hearts and bringing insight into truths and mysteries not understood before Christ’s fulfillment of the prophecies.
The means of his ministry is the Holy Spirit's power. He is the vessel for the work of Christ in him. Christ is doing the work through Him. How can 25,000 people a day profess Christ in an Asian country where it is outlawed to preach the Gospel? It doesn’t happen with the best laid plans for evangelism. It happens when people are obedient to the Word of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. Certainly, there is teaching and of course, there is discipleship and training. People need to know truth, but it isn’t until the Spirit of God moves that anything of importance happens beyond human efforts. Paul saw God at work.
The director of the Bible school in Russia where I taught for two weeks told his story. He was raised in a Christian home. His father was told that he would be taken away if he taught his children about Jesus Christ. Why would he risk losing his whole family for such a stupid thing? This official asked him. He continued to teach Michael and his sister about Jesus Christ because the power of the Holy Spirit is more powerful than the hand of Russian government.
How is it that John Wesley at the age 80 and 90 was able to speak three sermons a day, and write volumes of Christian helps? Because of the power within him, that is Christ. It is possible to work in all human activity, but that is our work not Christ’s. Spiritual revival is only possible when we are clean and holy, usable for His service.
But whenever there is blessing, there is also a battle. Where there is growth spiritually, there is also Satan with the temptations and situations that want to hinder us. That is why we need the protection and peace that comes from above. Discouragement is so easily an arrow of the evil one. He makes active ministry and witness almost impossible, but we do not minister for Christ, rather we let Christ minister through us. That was Paul's means of ministry. He was obedient letting God use him.
Application: Stay in the Word of God letting it wash over you.
Prayer: Lord, as I pray and bask in your Word, may you wash me, making me pure and holy usable for service.
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