Our Ongoing Transformation through God's Word

Our Ongoing Transformation through God's Word

Salvation is not just about believing the gospel and receiving the forgiveness of sins—it is the beginning of a lifelong transformation. The moment we trust in Christ, our eternal destiny is secured, but God does not stop there. He begins a good work in us, and that work must continue and grow as we yield to His Word and walk in the Spirit.

Paul assures us in Philippians 1:6

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

This good work is not about our outward circumstances; it is about the inner renewal of the believer. God is shaping us, preparing us, increasing us for our vocation in the Body of Christ. We are not passive in this process—we must engage with His Word, studying our doctrine, allowing it to work in us, and choosing daily to walk by its instruction.

Renewed Day by Day

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”

Learning from Paul’s Example in Doctrine and Conduct

Learning from Paul’s Example in Doctrine and Conduct

Our emotions are powerful. They can surge within us, demanding action—whether through frustration, impatience, or even resentment. Yet, as believers, we are called to submit to something far greater than our fleeting feelings: the Word of God. The apostle Paul provides us with a striking example of this very principle when, after being unjustly struck in the face before the Jewish council, he humbled himself to the authority of the high priest, prioritizing God’s Word over his emotions.

Paul’s Trial Before the Jewish Leaders

In Acts 23, Paul stood before the Jewish leaders after being seized and falsely accused. As he began to speak, Ananias, the high priest, commanded that Paul be struck. Imagine the moment—a fervent servant of God, unjustly slapped across the face in a setting meant for justice. What was Paul’s initial reaction? His emotions surged, and he immediately rebuked Ananias, saying, “God shall smite thee, thou whited wall” (Acts 23:3, KJV).

Yet, in that very moment, someone informed Paul that he had spoken against the high priest. Paul, being deeply committed to God’s truth, instantly corrected himself:

"I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people" (Acts 23:5, KJV).

Here lies an incredible lesson. Though Paul had a justifiable emotional reaction, he chose to submit to God’s Word. He immediately acknowledged his misstep and brought himself into alignment with scripture.

The dispensation of God which is given to me for you

The dispensation of God which is given to me for you

The Mystery Revealed

"Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints." (Colossians 1:25-26, KJV)

Throughout the ages, God has worked through distinct dispensations, each revealing His purpose at its appointed time. The passage above highlights an incredible truth—Paul was entrusted with a unique dispensation, one that had never before been revealed. It was a mystery, hidden from generations past, but now made manifest.

This means that the gospel and doctrine given to Paul were not simply a continuation of what had come before. They were not an extension of the kingdom promises given to Israel, nor were they a repackaging of the message preached by the twelve apostles. Paul received something entirely new—a gospel of grace that was distinct from Israel’s prophetic program.

A Brand-New Gospel and Doctrine

Many today fail to recognise the vital distinction between the earthly ministry of Jesus to Israel and the heavenly revelation of Christ to Paul. Jesus’ earthly ministry was directed to the Jews:

"I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24, KJV)

Honouring Scripture Over Emotion: Learning from Paul’s Example

Honouring Scripture Over Emotion: Learning from Paul’s Example

In moments of provocation, how do we respond? Do we let our emotions dictate our actions, or do we submit ourselves to the authority of God's Word? Paul’s encounter with the high priest in Acts 23:2-5 offers a powerful example of humility, self-control, and unwavering reverence for Scripture—an attitude we should value and imitate.

Paul’s Immediate Reaction

When struck unjustly, Paul’s first response was sharp: “God shall smite thee, thou whited wall” (Acts 23:3). His words carried righteous indignation, exposing the hypocrisy of Ananias, who violated the law he claimed to uphold. Yet, when informed that he had spoken against the high priest, Paul did not defend his initial reaction or justify his anger. Instead, he immediately submitted to the truth of Scripture, quoting Exodus 22:28: “Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.”

This swift correction is remarkable. Paul could have clung to his frustration, arguing that Ananias was corrupt and undeserving of honour. But he did not. His commitment to God’s Word outweighed his personal feelings, reminding us that Scripture, not emotion, must govern our responses.

What Lessons Can We Learn From This

Unveiling the Mystery of 1 Corinthians 2:7

Unveiling the Mystery of 1 Corinthians 2:7

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory." — 1 Corinthians 2:7

What Is the Mystery?

Biblically, a mystery is not unknowable, but previously concealed and now revealed. The wisdom Paul speaks of is God’s hidden plan of salvation, ordained before time began yet kept secret until revealed through him. Some aspects of this mystery include:

• The incarnation and resurrection of Christ (1 Timothy 3:16).
• The inclusion of Gentiles in salvation (Ephesians 3:6).
• The believer’s union with Christ (Colossians 1:26-27).
• The future glory prepared for God’s people (Romans 16:25).

Paul speaks of God’s wisdom in a mystery, a truth hidden for ages but now fully revealed through Christ and His work on the cross. This mystery is the foundation of our doctrine, a revelation that goes beyond worldly wisdom and calls believers into a deeper understanding of God’s eternal plan.

Why Was the Mystery Hidden?

Clear evidence that Romans to Philemon is our doctrine today

 

Clear evidence that Romans to Philemon is our doctrine today

Paul’s teachings in the Bible present a radical departure from the Jewish doctrine, emphasizing a new dispensation of grace rather than the Mosaic Law. His statement in 1 Corinthians 7:18-19 makes it clear that circumcision—once a requirement under the Old Covenant—is no longer significant under his gospel. Let me illustrate what I mean using the following scripture as example:

1Co 7:18-19 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. [19] Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 7:18-19 is a powerful indication that his teachings were distinct from the Jewish law. Under the Mosaic Covenant, circumcision was a non-negotiable requirement for Jewish males. It was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Genesis 17:10-14), and failure to comply meant being cut off from the people and blessings of Israel. However, Paul boldly declares that circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, shifting the focus to keeping the commandments of God—but what commandments is he referring to?

Acknowledging the Truth is More than Recognition

Acknowledging the Truth is More than Recognition

It’s no coincidence that in Paul’s final three epistles—2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon—he repeatedly stresses the importance of acknowledging the truth rather than merely recognizing it. As his ministry neared its conclusion, he wasn’t just leaving theological reflections—he was calling believers to active faith. This repeated emphasis suggests an urgency: doctrine was never meant to be a passive collection of beliefs, but a lived reality. By specifically using the word “acknowledge,” Paul drives home the point that truth must be embraced, applied, and experienced. His final words weren’t just about understanding the faith; they were a call to step into it boldly, yielding to God’s grace and allowing it to shape every aspect of life. It’s as if Paul, knowing his time was short, wanted to leave believers with one last crucial instruction—don’t just recognize God’s truth, live it.

Many people recognize truth. They see it, understand it intellectually, and even admire it. But Paul is calling us to much more than just a mental exercise. He calls us beyond passive recognition into an active acknowledgment—a faith-driven response that transforms how we live, believe, and interact with God’s grace.