Greatest
Missionary - Chief of Sinners
Paul:
An Appreciation
By
Alicia Becton
November 13, 2000
Most
of us think about heaven from time to time. When we all get to heaven, what a
day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus...we also sing about it at
church. Well, I do want to see Jesus and sing and shout the victory, but there's
someone else I want to see and kind of hope he'll be waiting to see me, too.
I’m talking about the Apostle Paul, who is my favorite Bible personality
(behind Jesus, of course) and my strongest biblical connection. I memorized
several of his books over years of Bible quizzing and would still say that
Romans was my favorite book of the Bible. I don't think I'll be able to do him
justice in one article, but I will attempt to pay tribute to the greatest
missionary ever as well as the chief of sinners as he titled himself.
Paul
is the Bible’s chief intellectual with the majority of his education coming
under the greatest Rabbi of the day, Gamaliel. (I find Gamaliel fascinating as
well, but will stay off of that tangent.) Some have said that by age 21 Paul
acquired the equivalent of three Ph.D.s. (This would explain some of the deep passages that require commentaries
to understand.) Without question, his education level did exceed that of his
companions.
Paul
was passionate about his cause and adamantly persecuted the church for going
against the truth as he believed it. It took a blinding light on the road to
Damascus to convince Paul that Jesus was Lord. From that point, he was just as
passionate for the church.
Maybe
only fellow quizzers can understand this, but since Romans was my last year of
quizzing, if I see a digital clock that says for example, 11:33, I'll still
quote “O the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and
his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33) in my head.
This
only works with Romans and not for every digital time anymore, but the
connection with that particular epistle is the most powerful for me. Romans was
the first time the Bible really became alive and animated for me. I loved the
Word and had quizzed for years, but with Romans you had to make a conscious
effort to understand some of Paul's thoughts and arguments. I was a freshman in
college and was working part time, but while those memories have faded, I still
quote from digital clocks.
In
1989, I learned that if you dig, you'll find gold in the Word¾not
just words on a page. I began to appreciate Paul that year, but it grows over
time and study more and more. I've been accused by my quiz teams of preaching in
practice because I want to convey the gold under the surface of memorizing if I
can.
Paul
embodies some fascinating contradictions. He was a Pharisee that was called to
preach to the Gentiles. He says he spoke in tongues “more than you all” and
can transcend to the third heaven, yet openly admits his humanity in Romans
chapter 7. (For the record, I connect more with Paul on Romans chapter 7 than I
do with him in the third heaven.) He asks to be delivered from the enigmatic
'thorn in his flesh' three times to no avail, but recognizes Romans 8:28 (“And
we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to his purpose.”) applies to him also.
He's viewed as so 'super-spiritual', but he's so completely human.
I
can't tell you how much those contradictions help me. We're all human. We all
have contradictions. We all war against the flesh and the spirit. Paul honestly
admits to the conflicts and offers some suggestions on how to be an overcomer.
He was radical¾he
turned the world upside down (Acts 17). He was all things to all people. He
remained focused. He was unafraid to witness no matter where he was, therefore,
he stood before kings. His list of persecutions is amazing and humbling. One
stoning or shipwreck may have been enough for me. Yet Paul says, “For
I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared
with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans
8:18) The words leap off the page for me or at times just come to my mind in
prayer. This helps me realize that I'm not alone with my weaknesses and
struggles. Someone as great as Paul has traveled the same path before me.
Paul
traveled through Italy, Greece, Israel, was on his way to Spain and basically
left none of the known world unreachable unless he was imprisoned.
Some
years ago, I visited Athens, Greece. It was just an incredible experience to
walk down the same streets as Paul and see some of the very same sights¾almost
to the point of embarrassment to my poor brother. (If I ever get to Rome, I'll
be worse!)
On
Mars Hill overlooking the Acropolis I tried to imagine what he must have felt
like there. I felt compelled to quote Acts 17 on the very spot that Paul had
preached. Very few listeners even understanding his language perhaps, but Paul
was educated enough to quote Greek poets back to the Greeks to prove his points.
He was well read and not just on Jewish laws, customs, and scriptures, but Paul
even knew his poetry!
He
always brought logic to an issue or debate. We all know that living for God is
not just about some intangible faith or feeling. I'm a logical person and I find
Paul's logic fascinating. Living for God really is the logical way to live. I
can be logical, try to be well read, even quote poetry and find a kindred spirit
with Paul. I think his example for being well-rounded in order to minister more
effectively is certainly worth applying to life today.
Paul
inspires me. I battle cynicism and have to go to his writings for help. “Being
confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will
perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) And one
of my many favorites in this personal battle: “But
none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that
I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of
the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts
20:24)
Had
I not quizzed and coached on so many Pauline epistles, I wouldn't have this
reservoir on which to draw for help and strength. I think I've forgotten so much
and then this perfect verse comes back when I need it the most. Nine times out
of ten it's the words of Paul.
I could mention scripture after scripture, but can't
narrow it down to one favorite anymore. As time and circumstances change, my
favorite verse also changes. For years it was, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already
perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am
apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12)
When I felt far away from God as I could get, this verse appears to me: “That
they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him,
though he be not far from every one of us:” (Acts
17:27) Right now, today, I'd have to offer “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of
ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;” (II Corinthians 3:5)
because I can't think about being sufficient on my own
(even if I am somewhat independent). As self-sufficient as Paul was, he
recognized his need for God.
I know I can never match his intellect or passionate walk
with God, yet he is the reason we, as Gentiles, were able to find Jesus almost
2000 years ago. I do want to see Jesus when I get to heaven, but after that I'll
look around, grab some angel and say "Can you please take me to Paul?"
ninetyandnine.com
ã
2000, Alicia Becton
---------
Alicia
Becton is the managing editor of ninetyandnine.com.
She’s ecstatic about coaching senior Bible quizzing on Acts next year.
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