Steve Martin
“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25, NASU)
The Apostle Paul, or emissary as some would translate, often got very real with his readers. Starting off as what he considered being the most, even chief, sinner of all, he became very transparent in his life, in knowing, and stating, who he really was, inside and out. No longer were there the flashy points, the haughty attitude he once had before his transformed life. What he had become was very different than who he had been.
God the Father had apprehended him through His Only Son Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, and molded him into one whom He could fully use. Though it was a very long process, as in most cases (it took Moses 40 years to get to that point, and after all, Rome wasn't built in a day either) in the end the coal had become a diamond and fully useful in the Lord’s service. A lot of pressure applied to certain things does that over many, many seasons.
In my younger, beginning point of the discipled years, I thought Paul was a bit arrogant when he spoke of being “the chief sinner.” I imagined him, in my own mind at least, wearing a badge proclaiming, “Look at me.” “See what I have accomplished.” Or simply, “Chief Sinner.”
I no longer view him as being that. When he wrote to his spiritual son Timothy, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all,” (1 Timothy 1:15, NASU) I now realize that he truly meant it. The Lord had taken one who had previously persecuted (killed) the new believers after Yeshua’s resurrection, thinking he was doing God a big favor by attempting to stop this new movement, and completely changed him. It still happens to saved ones.
Paul fully wrote, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:12-17, NASU)
Because of Who He is, our Lord can, and continually does, complete amazing reformations and transformations in the lives of those He apprehends, once they are grabbed hold of. They are then changed into a pure vessel. Though salvation of the spirit happens instantly at the time of re-birth (born again moment), the conversion of the soul is a lifetime process. But it does happen. Have hope!
As I still listen to one of my favorite songs of all time, Power of Your Love, sung by Darlene Zschech of Hillsong beginning in 1992 (*see lyrics below) I too am convinced that as the Lord points His finger on hidden areas of our lives, His purpose is to continue to create one who no longer seeks our own desires, looks out only for oneself, or strives to be the top dog among those among them. He is showing us those things that prevent us from becoming as He is, so we can fully become involved in that which He is doing.
The great thing about it is that the Holy Spirit, part of the Trinity and God-head, does the re-creation in us.
The process reminds me of the steadfast, continuing care it takes to plant and maintain a beautiful rose garden, but in and through the development, it brings love and joy to the Creator and His creation.
Purify my heart then, Lord, and continue to prune as You will, with the power of Your love. I want to be fully be used by You.
Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
Also, I hope you get my latest book, Adventures in Courage, published in November 2018. Comes in paperback or Kindle versions. This was my 19th authored publication. (Yes, this is an advertisement!)
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Now Think On This #383 - in the year of our Lord 01.20.19 – “Power of Your Love” – Sunday 6:50 am
Power of Your Love
Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That I found in You.
And Lord I've come to know
The weaknesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love.
Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side.
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love.
Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As You live in me.
Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
In the power of Your love.
Songwriters: BULLOCK GEOFFREY WILLIAM
Power of Your Love lyrics © Universal Music – 1992 Brentwood Benson Publ., Word Music LLC, Universal Music Brentwood Benson Publishing, Brentwood-Benson Music Pub, WORD MUSIC, LLC, WORD MUSIC, INC.
