BY Argie Simonis
Today I would like to focus on two great personalities of the Bible. The apostle Paul and the apostle John.
Paul, formerly Saul, began as a Pharisee, a fanatical persecutor of Christians, because this is how he believed he was doing God's will:
"And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem." Acts 9:1-2
In the process we see how God miraculously transforms him into the apostle Paul, the apostle of the nations. This conversion begins when Paul begins his mission sent by the Pharisees to imprison and execute Christians and on the way to Damascus Jesus appears:
"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecute you me? And he said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the pricks." Acts 9:3-5
From there we see Paul's course and his spiritual maturity rising, when he himself mentions in his letter in 2 Corinthians 12:7 about the "the abundance of the revelations" he had received from the Lord. He introduces himself in the church of Corinth as follows:
"For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very most chief apostles." 2 Cor. 11:5
but humbly states this:
"After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all He (Jesus) was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time." 1 Cor. 15:7-8
The Greek word that was translated “born out of due time” is “EKTROMA.” This is the only time this word is used in Scripture, and it means “a miscarriage (abortion). Paul was saying that in the same way that it would be unusual for a miscarried child to live, likewise, it was abnormal for him to be an apostle. This led right in to his next statement about being the least of the apostles.
Paul's spiritual maturity was indeed very high, but do you know what, in my opinion, was the mountain top of these revelations? Let us read his words:
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I know not.For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you." Phil. 1:21-24
In a few words here Paul tells us that he is not sure what to choose: Death to "depart" and be with Christ or to remain for the building of the church? Eventually both were fulfilled, but think a little deeper. Who prefers death to "depart" and live with Christ, from life here on earth? Only someone to whom the treasure of God's love has been revealed. How is it possible to force or intimidate such a person? This revelation of God's love for the heavenly kingdom led Paul to write half of the New Testament and to be called the "apostle of the nations."
"Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not." Jer. 33:3
Do you know what, in my opinion, was the greatest revelation of John?
"Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved." John 13:23
This is referring to the Apostle John. He speaks about it 5 more times (John 19:26, 20: 2, 21: 7, 20 and 24). This reveals much about himself, always referring to Himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. I am sure Jesus loved all the disciples the same, but John received this revelation in a special way.
With this revelation he became the author of one of the 4 gospels. He also wrote 3 letters (1', 2' and 3 John), as well as the book of Revelation, when the Lord himself visited him on the island of Patmos where he was in exile and revealed his future. He is also the disciple whom the Lord trusted in His mother:
"When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he said to his mother, Woman, behold your son! Then said he to the disciple, Behold your mother! And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home." John 19:26-27
How our lives can really change when we experience God's love!
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18
It is a matter of life and death to know the true love of God in all its dimensions! We study the Scriptures to know God through His Word and let His Spirit reveal Himself to us in our hearts. I will close this message with something very dear from the Bible:
Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil;
Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Cor. 13:3-7
Amen!
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