THE APOSTLE PAUL LIVES HIS LIFE AS A REFLECTION OF CHRIST
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How does the Lord want us to live? We have been blessed with life. Since we know not how long we will live, we are to make the most of the time we are given. It is a time to live for Christ. In our daily walk, we have the opportunity to bring Him honor… to love, bless and encourage others… to spread His good news of salvation… and to be His ambassadors on earth.
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1
What does it look like to live for the Lord? Let us look at the life of the apostle Paul. In this man of God, we see a Christlike model. We see him living as Jesus lived. Christ is his life. A miraculous encounter with his risen Lord changes him forever. He is never the same. His heart becomes like that of his Savior.
Paul becomes a mentor to so many throughout his life as he preaches and teaches. Everywhere he travels, and in all the churches he establishes, he exemplifies a life of Christlikeness. How are these new Christians to live? They are to be imitators of Paul who manifests the character of Christ.
“Now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:20-21
Paul puts Christ first in his life. He seeks absolute union with his Lord, both in this life and in the life to come. He longs to see Jesus face to face in heaven. Yet until his time comes, Paul abides with his Lord in this life. He continues to live for Him and devote himself to the spread of the gospel.
Paul desires a life that brings Christ glory. He knows from personal revelation the One to whom he owes his all. He prioritizes his life around his Savior. All his plans, all his travels, all his writings revolve around and proclaim Christ and His kingdom. Paul’s life reflects, honors and reveres His Messiah.
“Let all that you do be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14
Paul blesses and encourages everyone he meets with the love of Jesus. His life is so permeated with the adoring love of his Savior that it overflows to everyone he encounters. Love reigns in this apostle’s heart and shines in his life. His ministry has love as its very foundation. Countless people are touched, encouraged and blessed by his Christlike love.
“God our Savior… wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Paul’s heart for the unsaved is like that of His Savior. He longs for their repentance and conversion. Over his lifetime, we know of three missionary journeys that take him thousands of miles throughout the lands around the Mediterranean. Multitudes are brought to salvation in Christ by his ministry… and new churches are established throughout the region.
“He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 5:19-20
Paul persuasively, passionately, enduringly shares the good news with all he meets, both Jews and Gentiles. Yet he especially ministers to the Gentiles, for that is his specific calling from the Lord. He fulfills the Great Commission of Jesus… to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. This becomes Paul’s life mission.
Paul serves as an ambassador for Christ. Ambassadors represent their place of origin. Paul understands that his true home is in heaven with his Lord. Yet throughout his time of ministry, he lives a life that honors his Savior… a life above reproach for all to see… a life that points to the One to whom he owes everything.
“Let your life be a reflection that points others back to God.”
How then are we to live? We look to the apostle Paul as a model for our lives because his life models that of Jesus. We seek to live a life of Christlikeness… putting our Lord first, honoring Him, giving His love to our world, spreading His good news of salvation to the lost, living as His ambassadors. Like Paul, let us live our lives as a reflection of our Savior.
