◄ A Life Example ►

Calvary’s Victory

The life-walk of Paul illustrates his relationship to his Lord, Jesus Christ. As he travelled from place to place, the pain and triumph of Calvary was evident. Initial prideful, bitter hatred of all who followed Jesus of Nazareth, was exchanged – replaced, with such a deep love of his Master, as reflected in his penmanship. He expressed the true, magnificent depths to which God’s love, in Christ, ascends. Love suffers long and is kind. It isn’t arrogant. It is gentle; seemly; forgiving; gracious. What a testimony of a changed life – what a celebration of Calvary’s victory.

Christ’s Life

But Paul’s life-walk exemplified another aspect of the cross: Christ living in him. He realized the insidious grip that Satan, the great adversary of Christ had on this world’s darkness. Paul recognised the shroud of darkness that curtained across the minds of men… preventing the light of the glorious gospel of truth shining down on a needy race.

Satan’s Defeat

Paul proclaimed the truth that the prince of this world was cast out and fully defeated – crushed at Calvary; stripped of power; an overcome enemy; vanquished forever. The price for sin - paid in full. The power of sin – broken forever. And yet this dreadful defeat for man’s deliverance was to be effected over time. Calvary’s victory was to be ratified through a small company who would stand firm.

Shining Example

Paul is one shining example of that small company, and the walk of Paul illustrates the spiritual battle that rages in the heavenlies - a battle in which a small company is called out to stand firm. And Paul followed in the wake of a little band like “these three men – Noah, Job, Daniel.” Ezekiel 14:14

Few Faithful Followers

Paul led the way of the cross to all who are prepared to accept this challenge. Paul exemplified a faithful life engaged in the spiritual battle of all ages. Paul, throughout His life, envisioned the triumphal train of His Lord and Saviour - a victorious, divinely appointed procession, with the defeated enemy displayed – a celebration of Man’s great victory accompanied by His few faithful followers – even a testimony of Christ’s great and mighty conquest at Calvary’s cross.

Paul’s Perseverance

Time and again it appeared, in Paul’s life, that the encounter ended disastrously - Like at Philippi, Lystra, Ephesus. But the spirit of the apostle held firm. Paul held on through many bitter encounters, when he despaired even of life. Paul persevered through some of the most difficult times to befall any man. In a few short years, he testified in many places, that the cross is indeed triumphant. Paul had his eye on the victor’s crown.

Christ Alone

Paul demonstrated in brilliant technicolour and stroboscopic lighting how to live. Paul displayed through his life what our relationship to the Lord really should be. All Paul’s own self-designed programs and plans were discarded entirely. All Paul’s own scheming and strategies were scrapped and jettisoned. Paul depended to the last breath of his battered life, on Christ and Christ alone.

Overcoming Victory

A prisoner in chains, stripped of all the liberties and freedoms we so much cherish. A man, battle-scared from pillar to post by a deluge of satanic oppression. A man, willing to die for his Lord – a man equally prepared to live for Him as well. The apostle John in his later years shares this same truth. This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith in Christ. 1John 5:4

Triumphant Train

Do you truly want to be a part of that great and exciting triumphant train..?  a procession that will one day display that defeated enemy to the world..? Where to LIVE for our Lord – means to DIE to oneself? Are you really prepared to give up all to follow Him.. or are you only prepared to wet your toe in His ocean of opportunity?

These FOUR Men

In this world you will have tribulation, just like these three men – Noah, Job and Daniel – just like these FOUR men – Noah, Job, Daniel, and Paul, but be of good cheer – I have overcome the world. John 16:33