Know Jesus!

December 14, 2023

Know Jesus!

Often times God speaks to us through the people we least expect. 

The Apostle Paul had one message; the power of the cross to forgive sin, to save sinners, and to give the assurance of eternal life through faith in Jesus.

However, Paul was not the person through whom people expected to hear the good news of God’s love for in Jesus. 

Paul had been a ferocious persecutor of Christians and the church. 

Paul was not very good at public speaking.

Paul fell into arguments with other Christian leaders.

Paul suffered some form of physical ailment that left him compromised.

Paul was chased down and imprisoned by the local authorities.

Often times God speaks to us through the people we least expect. 

Paul was one of the least likely people to share the message of Jesus with people.  And yet, Paul was faithful; he trusted and obeyed Jesus!  And, the Spirit used Paul to plant and encourage churches all around the Mediterranean.

In II Corinthians 11:6 Paul admits that he may not be the best person to share the Gospel.  Paul writes; “Even if I am untrained in speech, I certainly am not with respect to knowledge; certainly in every way and in all things we have made this evident to you.” 

Paul says that although he may not have all the qualifications or training or skills, he brings something that the Spirit can use to change people’s lives.  Paul says that he possesses “knowledge.” 

Paul’s qualification is that he knows Jesus.  Although Paul did not live with Jesus and the other apostles, he knew Jesus deep in his heart, mind, and soul.  Paul had experienced Jesus in a way that gave birth to a personal relationship with Jesus. 

As with each of us, Jesus took the initiative in engaging Paul in this relationship.  At the same time, Paul responded by acknowledging and accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord in his life.

Paul’s relationship with Jesus is the foundation for all of what Paul says and does to share the message of Jesus with people.  People respond to what Paul knows in his heart, mind, and soul because Paul knows Jesus!   

What matters most in life and in our life as Christ-followers is not our qualifications, our training, or our skills.  What matters most is not our position in the church, the number of years we have been a Christ-follower, or even our social or economic standing in the community.  What matters is whether or not we know Jesus. 

Let me be bold and ask you to take some time each day for the next seven days to ask yourself this question…

Am I living in a healthy and holy relationship with Jesus as Lord of my life?

The answer to this question will become an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to open doors for you to have even greater influence, to give you an even deeper assurance that Jesus loves you, and to experience the joy of seeing other people coming to know Jesus as Savior.

When these things happen, your life will be filled with great delight in the Lord.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug