Acts 22:3 NKJV
Philippians 3:4-10 ESV
1 Timothy 1:3-7 ESV
1Timothy 1:16 NKJV
Job 28:28 NKJV
Psalm 119:65-66 ESV
Joshua 1:8 ESV
One thing I know for sure about learning is that the more you know the less you think you know. On my journey, I’ve come to a place where my thirst for learning more seems to grow and grow as I get older.
Paul was highly educated and studied under Gamaliel, the premier Hebrew scholar in the first century. We learn in Acts 22:3, “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.”
But Paul learned on the road to Damascus that he actually did not know the whole story in his former life.
In Philippians 3:4-10 he wrote, “I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
After Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus he knew that everything he had worked his whole life for (studying to be a Pharisee) was counted as rubbish in light of the knowledge of gaining Jesus. He knew what really mattered now was faith in Jesus. In that instant when He met Jesus, his eyes were opened and what he wanted more than anything was to share in the suffering of Jesus so he could be like Jesus in death.
The highly educated Pharisee Saul of Tarsus who had studied under Gamaliel gave it all up so he could follow Jesus. He became Paul the Apostle of Jesus Christ.
Indeed, Paul wrote to his young charge Timothy to hold fast to the faith and to not let anyone teach any other doctrine but the truth of Jesus. In 1 Timothy 1:3-7 Paul wrote to Timothy saying, “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.”
Paul of all people understood the law. He had not walked away from the law (the Old Testament Torah) but he now understood that Jesus was the Son of God and through His death and resurrection He completed the plan that God had all along.
Through a lifetime of study, Paul understood the Law as well as anyone and that made it possible for him to see the big picture. He understood God’s purpose and plan for his life. Paul knew that from the moment he was blinded on the Road to Damascus, his previous life and all the studying and learning he had accomplished meant nothing in light of God’s love and grace through Jesus.
In 1 Timothy 1:16, Paul wrote, “However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all long suffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.”
Paul was telling Timothy that God had been merciful to him. Paul knew Jesus was patient with him and even long suffering so others would see his life and what he gave up in order to teach the good news of everlasting life through Jesus.
When Paul turned to Jesus on the Road to Damascus he sought true wisdom, discernment and knowledge. He wanted the wisdom that Job spoke about in Job 28:28, “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”
Paul’s eyes were opened on that road. He had been persecuting Jesus and now he understood the truth.
Paul fully understood what the Psalmist meant when he wrote in Psalm 119:65-66, “You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.”
Nothing from the Law, the Songs, and the Prophets had been nullified. Paul knew it had been completed through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Paul had great understanding and respect for the Law and the history of his people of Israel.
We read in Joshua 1:8, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Paul had given his life to studying the Law and from his childhood learning about the way of his people had been his purpose and charge. He had meditated on it day and night.
Now, in his new life God would use ALL of it for the good of the Gospel message of Jesus. Paul would (and did) make it his purpose to go and teach the good news of Jesus to the world.
That’s exactly what he did! He left his old life as a scholar behind and he counted himself as UN educated for the sake of reaching others for Jesus. Paul opened his hands to receive what God had for him.
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Open your hands
Open your hands and ask God what He has for you.
In God, Deborah
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