Not long ago, I was asked a unique question about the Bible. “Other than Jesus, who is your favorite person in the Bible?” I did not have to think about my answer for very long. Although I do not …
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Not long ago, I was asked a unique question about the Bible. “Other than Jesus, who is your favorite person in the Bible?” I did not have to think about my answer for very long. Although I do not remember having been ask this question before, I already knew my answer. I had thought about it at various times.
There are a lot of people whose lives are covered in the Bible who would be worthy of “favorite” or even “My Favorite Hero.” Read Hebrews chapter 11 and you will find a long list of worthy candidates.
But without hesitation, my answer is Paul, the Apostle. I think Paul is the most important person in the New Testament other than Jesus Himself.
After his salvation experience as he traveled the road to Damascus, he was given the revelation of the New Testament directly from the Lord. (Galatians 1 & 2)
Paul gave everything to Jesus and lived totally for him. He was the perfect example of the follower of Christ as described in His teachings. In fact, Paul captured the teachings of Christ perfectly in the “Love Chapter” – 1 Corinthians 13.
He was undeterred. Nothing stopped him in the pursuit of following God’s will. He experienced beatings, stoning, shipwrecks, arrest and imprisonment. In all these persecutions and trials he stood the test and steadfastly represented the Lord Jesus and His Gospel. (Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-33)
He taught the Gospel without yielding to opposing pressure and without compromise. Friends abandoned him but he stayed true to God. Nothing stopped him.
In all the facts about Paul and his sufferings, we learn the value of staying the course with Jesus. He would not quit.
This was his ultimate testimony: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (1 Timothy 4:7)
www.firstagcc.org. Write the Pastor at PastorBill@firstagcc.org.