The Devotional - A Look at the Book #697

The Devotional – A Look at the Book 697

Jesus explained for three plus years that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Was that because He was on earth; or because the Holy Spirit was and is an indwelling gift to everyone who would believe in Him? 2 Corinthians 3:15-18

People become good at what they do because they are interested in what they are doing. Having an interest in anything requires time. For example; the apostle Paul did not receive wisdom of the things pertaining to God by some magical event. In fact; his conversion on the Damascus road was more traumatic and life threatening then we think.

Struck blind and totally knocked out of commission for three days and he did not eat or drink during that time... this was no small matter. The only Spiritual Truth that was added to his resume was that what he was doing was sin and that he was at physical, spiritual and mental war with the One whom he thought he was serving. Acts 9:1-9

Paul was educated in the theology of the Pharisee Sect of Judaism; his teacher was a highly respected man and teacher named Gamaliel (Note Acts 22:3 as the apostle gives his testimony). So why do I bring this out? Before Saul's conversion, he was full of the wisdom of the Old Covenant, but not according to the knowledge of knowing God. His wisdom was based on man's wisdom as man teaches; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 is a good read on this subject.

After his conversion Saul who is called Paul did begin to preach, but he did not immediately begin to teach. With all of the knowledge of the Old Covenant and his training in Judaism, he went again to Damascus. This time he stayed there and re-studied the Old Testament scrolls; for three years he studied about Jesus Christ as He is revealed in the scrolls. Galatians 1:11-24.

Any reference that Paul makes concerning the study of scripture is from this three year period in Damascus; i.e. 1 Corinthians 15:3. So here is the joy resulting from the statement of Jesus back in Acts 9:15-16. The apostle came out of this Old Testament study while in Damascus with the Wisdom of God that we find written in the New Testament. Romans; Corinthians, 1-2; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; Thessalonians 1-2; Timothy 1-2; Titus and Philemon.

God in His Wisdom demonstrates His love to you and me in ways that goes beyond our earthly comprehension. Like Paul who was converted who says in most of his epistles; God's love for each of us will abound more and more when we are willing to discern the scripture. We are to be filled with all the fullness of God, which are the fruits of righteousness of Christ to the glory and praise of God. With the joy of the LORD... read Philippians 1:3-11