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Paul, the Holy Spirit, and Surrender

Apostle Paul as we may know hated and persecuted Christians, but later went on to give his life to Christ and write most of the New Testament.

God in His mercy visited Paul (then Saul), and commissioned him for a special assignment. This assignment was to bring the gospel/good news to the Gentiles (non Jews). Read more about his encounter with Jesus in Acts 9 vs 1 - 19 .

In Galatians 1 vs 15 - 16a, Paul talks more about this call - "But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me[a] so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles....."

If we read further, in verse 16b - 17, we see that after Paul's encounter, he wasn't in a hurry to meet with the other disciples/apostles, instead he took time alone to (I believe) fellowship with and learn from the Holy Spirit. 

There is a lot to learn from Paul's teachings, but I'll focus on 3 key points.

  • He did not preach by his own wisdom or the wisdom of this world, instead he relied on the power of the Holy Spirit  - 1 Corinthians 2 vs 4 says "And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit."
Question - Do I rely on my wisdom or do I rely on the power of the Holy Spirit?

  • Paul ignored the fancy speeches and instead focused on the simplicity of the Gospel. We must not be carried away by clever speeches that seem attractive/appealing, but are lacking in truth and depth.
2 Corinthians 11 vs 3 - But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.   
 
Colossians  2 vs 8 - Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
  • He got direct revelation from the Holy Spirit/Jesus - 
Galatians 1 vs 12 - I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.

Recall from my first post here, we mentioned that the Holy Spirit is our teacher. If you are struggling to understand the bible or if you get bored while reading, I'll encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit for understanding. From my personal experience, I realized my struggle with reading the bible, so I continuously asked the Holy Spirit for help and He made it enjoyable. He began to teach me and give me understanding.

1 Corinthians 2 vs 14 says it is only those who are spiritual that can discern (understand/receive) the things of the Spirit --"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

This is why we must continuously build the fellowship with the Holy Spirit, like Paul did. We must submit to the leading of the Spirit, in complete and true surrender. see Romans 12 vs 1 - 2 and Romans 8 vs 5 - 6. When the Spirit nudges us to fast or pray or to not get angry about a certain situation etc., do we listen and obey? Or do we do things our own way? 

Jesus said in Luke 9 vs 23, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me". We must completely give up our own way, our own agenda, our own ambition even when it isn't convenient or enjoyable to our flesh. Also, as He said in vs 24, if we hang onto our lives we will lose it but if you give up your life for His sake, we will save it. Simply put, true life and fulfilment lies in the surrender. Obedience is how we show that we love Him - John 14 vs 15

Do we get there overnight? Nope! But we must strive, be diligent, keep seeking, keep asking for help. For whoever asks receives, whoever seeks finds, and to whoever knocks, the door shall be opened - Luke 11 vs 10. We must truly desire change - James 4 vs 8 says if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us,  Jeremiah 29 vs 13 says we will find Him, when we seek Him with all our heart.

Let us say a quick word of prayer together - Father, I'm struggling to submit, to let go of my own will, to pick up my cross daily, to obey you in all things. I ask that you help me and empower me by your Spirit as you said in Ephesians 3 vs 16. I receive inner strength by your Spirit today. Thank you Jesus for answering my prayer, in Jesus name.

Thanks for reading, God bless you! 

Mayowa O

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