EFFICIENT WAYS OF LEADING MEN TO CHRIST - PART 2

FRIDAY 22 JULY 2022

Paul was basking in the glory of proclaiming the gospel from Jerusalem all the way round. According to the gospel which he preached, he revealed nothing but Christ to the Gentiles from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. The Word of God was remarkably preached by Paul as the principal doctrine of the glorious gospel. And by sharing its main truths which were once concealed, especially from the entire world of the Gentiles, Paul made it known to them by all means possible, thereby bringing them to the knowledge of Christ.

Reference: Romans 15:18-19 New International Version (NIV) "I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ."

Who did Paul attribute all his accomplishments through sharing the glorious message with the Gentiles and leading them to light? Christ Jesus!

Paul once declared, "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13 NLT). Of course, this is one of my favourite Christian quotes. Do you know what that means? It means that there is a superior energy within that compels you to accomplish things divinely, namely, Christ. Without Him, we can do nothing (see John 15:5 NIV).

It was always Paul's ambition to preach the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles. Why? Not just so he would not build on someone else's foundation, but also because he was commissioned by Christ to be the Apostle to the Gentiles. So although he previously persecuted the church or body of Christ, when he was arrested by the Lord Jesus Christ, he fully admitted his calling and functioned accordingly. And today we are looking at one of the ways he was able to achieve leading the Gentiles to obedience, which is by the power of signs and wonders.

The Bible says, "God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled" (Acts 19:11-12 NLT). As people experienced the miraculous power of God through God's extraordinary grace in Paul's life, they came to the obedience of Christ. So apart from ministering the gospel through words and deed, the power of signs and wonders hugely characterized his ministry through the strength of Holy Spirit's expression and it was a regular happening in its structure. Above all, those signs and wonders were of unspeakable importance, thereby revealing the power of God unto salvation.

Indeed the power of signs and wonders portrays untold divine discoveries and experiences which contain the ability to reveal the sovereignty of God in the earth realm, and it stands unequalled by any human demonstration and performance because it only comes from God. So signs and wonders are the most celebrated divine productions, that far exceeds the realm of human understanding, just as the shining of the sun will always outclass and outshine the appearance of the stars at night time.

Beloved, in all his tasks and performances, Paul did not seek his own glory and honour, but by patient endurance in fulfilling his calling, signs and wonders abounded in his ministry. By being steadfast and unmoveable, he continually flourished in the work of the Lord, according to the revelation of the mystery which was entrusted to his hands. God was and is constantly able, through power of signs and wonders to prove Himself as real [Almighty], leading men to the path of salvation; and so Paul did well to bring the truth of salvation to many by taking advantage of signs of wonders which was and is still prominently effective in winning souls to Christ.

It is indeed God's perfect will to confirm the preaching of His Word by the mystery of signs and wonders, in order to reveal Christ as Saviour and Lord through salvation. No wonder Hebrews 2:3-4 (ESV) says, "how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. Stay tuned for Part 3. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Mark 16:20; John 4:48; Acts 14 3; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Acts 2:22.

Exuberant Declaration: I affirm that the Gospel is the power of God to establish the salvation of souls according to the revelation of the knowledge of Christ. By sharing Christ as Lord, signs and wonders follow my message, thereby leading the lost souls to their salvation through justification by faith in Christ. Hallelujah!