The Amish Voice 4
It seems that in typing out the electronic instructions to the mis-
sile, someone left out a hyphen. That meant that the signals were
off by one electronic impulse. And, of course, the missile be-
haved—or misbehaved—in accordance with the faulty instruc-
tions.
Damage? The project was held up for two years—and eighteen
million taxpayer’s dollars were wasted. That’s what a hyphen
can cost!
(Robert G. Lee.
Sourcebook of 500 Illustrations
.
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1970), pp. 157
-158.)
In Paul‟s former life, the thing that threw him off course was his
misguided sense of self-righteousness. The
hyphen
that put him
back on an accurate course for life was
the cross
. Without the
cross, we will be, forever, lost in space.
2. Paul‟s radical change included four significant points.
a. God had set Paul apart and called him by His grace. Paul
clearly said...
that it was
God’s grace
that had saved him from a life of
selfrighteousness and destruction.
that God‟s grace had separated him to serve Christ
“from his mother‟s womb.” The idea is that God had
Paul in his mind even before Paul‟s birth. Paul‟s call
and ministry were not due to Paul but to God and His
grace. God had His eye on Paul throughout all eternity.
APPLICATION:
The believer‟s call and ministry is of God not of himself.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise
men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are
called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to
confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of
the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1
Co.1:26-27).
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man
should boast” (Ep.2:8-9).
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but ac-
cording to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regenera-
tion, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us
abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saiour” (Tit.3:5-6).
b. God called Paul as a vessel to reveal Christ. Note the words
“in me.” God‟s primary call to Paul was the same as it is for
every believer: to reveal His Son Jesus Christ both
to him
and
through him
. God wants the believer both to know
Christ and to make Christ known. We are chosen to fellow-
ship and commune with the Lord more and more and to let
Him be seen in us more and more. The believer is a mere
vessel in and through whom Jesus Christ lives.
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither
have entered into the heart of man, the things which God
hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed
them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things,
yea, the deep things of God” (1 Co.2:9-10).
c. God called Paul to preach Christ. Believers are not only
called to know Christ but also to make Christ known. We
must preach and bear witness to Christ.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk.16:15).
d. God called Paul to seek his gospel from God alone. Paul was
not to seek his gospel from men but from God. He alone is
the source of the gospel.
APPLICATION:
This does not mean, of course, that ministers (all believers) are not to
learn from other people; it means that ministers (all believers) are not
to proclaim the gospel of men. God has given us the gospel to study
and preach. It is His message, not man‟s message, that the world
needs.
“For I determined not to know any thing among you,
save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Co.2:2).
QUESTIONS:
1. Do you believe that your past life keeps you from chang-
ing your life now? Why? How?
2. Have you done anything so bad that God cannot forgive
you? What does this section of Scripture tell you about
God‟s promise to you?
3. What is the secret to having a radical change of life?
What action can you take to bring this change about?
SUMMARY:
Have you heard the challenge to the Christian believer: “If you were
on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to con-
vict you?” There will be if you follow Paul‟s example!
1. He sought to please God alone, not men.
2. He proclaimed the gospel.
3. He had a radical change of life.
PERSONAL JOURNAL NOTES
(Reflection & Response)
1. The most important thing that I learned from this lesson was:
2. The area that I need to work on the most is:
3. I can apply this lesson to my life by:
4. Closing Statement of Commitment:
_________________________
The Teacher’s Outline & Study Bible,
Galatians
TM
; [Leadership Ministries
Worldwide, Chattanooga, TN., 1994,
2010], page 1-4, used by permission, all
rights reserved.
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