Paul, you're fired!

I've always been inspired by Paul, the great Apostle and church father. Even as a young man, I saw sincerity and wisdom in his writings. He was unabashed, unashamed and unafraid. He spoke the truth with reckless abandon, and pursued the treasures God had for him.

I wonder how folks would think of Paul today. I would imagine not much. Certianly not in the world. Paul is far too politically-incorrect for today's sensitivities. Imagine, telling women to be silent in church or that they could not have authority over men! The man as the head of the woman? Wives are to submit to their husbands! He'd be run out of town on a rail!

And imagine telling us that no one is righteous! And that our works are meaningless! That no good you do can get you into heaven, and you have to rely on Christ Jesus for salvation. What would Oprah say?

Imagine him saying that marriage is forever in God's eyes! That it is preferable to be celebate! The scandal of it all!

And of course, Paul's ministry would be a failure by today's measure. Nick Champlin writes today in the Light Washed Path:

Even by the standards of his day, the Apostle Paul’’s ministry declined
into an embarrassing failure, while at the same time, other second generation
preachers were ascending to prominence. They sought their
opportunities to advance their ministries and form associations to further their
success. But Paul remained bound to one cause alone: servanthood to
Christ. And for that cause, the growing political climate in the
churches swept him aside in favor of those who would vie for their
attention.

Since Paul did not run a mega-church, with a palace and a huge staff and a gold-plated coach to ride in, he must have been terrible at what he did, right? He wouldn't last ten minutes in todays world!

Thank God he lived when he did, then. Consider Paul, and how uncomfortable and unpopular his message was at the time he lived. And yet, his words endure, more than any other New Testament author. Why? He was simply obedient to God's call on his life, sought not riches and glory for himself on this Earth, and considered it a blessing to be a prisoner to the Gospel. No other mortal man has touched so many lives so profoundly.

So listen to the words of this "failure," some of his last words, as recorded in 2 Timothy 4:

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my
departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day,
and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

God Bless...