Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, (Romans 1:1​ ESV)

(This devotion is part two in the series: “How to Be Changed Like Paul.” Check out part one if you missed it.)

The secret of Paul’s greatness is that he was first a “servant” and second an “apostle.”

The Greek word for “servant” can also be translated as “bondslave.” Here’s the deal, Paul didn’t think about himself first as an authority figure or leader—he viewed himself as someone totally under the orders of his Master.

In the Church, we spend a lot of time on becoming better leaders. Leading well is definitely a good thing! But if we take a cue from Paul, we see his leadership flow not from personal achievements or discipline (though he had these LIKE CRAZY!). Instead, he walked in incredible spiritual authority because he submitted himself to the greatest authority—Jesus himself.

Paul’s Radical Transformation

To understand and emulate Paul, we need to focus his relationship with Jesus before we look at his feats of faith.

Like we discovered in part one of this series, Paul’s old life was spent mercilessly persecuting Christians as a devout Pharisee (Acts 8:1; Phillipians 3:5–6). And now, he’s writing a letter to a Gentile church in Rome…

So when we read today’s verse, we should be astounded that Paul submitted to the authority of a man killed as a Jewish blasphemer and heretic—Jesus of Nazareth.

That is the power of the gospel to change people—to change us. There is no power greater and no heart too far. What an encouragement—and challenge to my limited beliefs—the life of Paul is. The gospel can change any heart, any time, anywhere.

The heart of Paul’s ministry is his intimacy and obedience to Jesus. He was a man under orders, not in control of his own life and destiny.

He looked to Jesus. He listened to Jesus. He obeyed Jesus.

He was a servant before he was a Saint. A man who gave up control of his life; who modeled what it means to submit to Jesus as Lord.

Are you a servant of Jesus? And more importantly, do you live like it?

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, (Romans 1:1​ ESV)

I’ve spent a lot of time praying for God to use me like he used the Apostle Paul.

I’d go as far as saying the only person with a greater impact on the Church than Paul is Jesus himself.

^ This is obviously debatable!

But the point stands: Paul changed the face of history through his personal legacy and the thirteen New Testament letters he wrote. However, I think I’ve always skimmed over something very important about this man’s life.

The Secret of Paul’s Legacy

I hyper-focused on the miracles like the handkerchiefs and scarves supernaturally imbued with God’s healing power (Acts 19:11–12). Or on his endurance through suffering for Jesus’ sake (2 Corinthians 11:23–29).

Healings and beatings that changed the world to God’s glory—that’s how I’d always viewed Paul. But I’d skipped over where this man came from.

Sure I remembered he used to be named Saul and persecuted Christians (Acts 8:1). But that was his old life, right? That was dead and buried in his past… After all, there are plenty of things in my own past I like to think of as dead and buried.

However, the story of Saul becoming Paul is what today’s verse reminds us of. And it is a linchpin if we’re going to walk in the power of the Spirit this man did (1 Corinthians 2:4).

You see, Jesus worked in Paul before he ever worked through him.

Paul met the Christ he persecuted on the road to Damascus—and in a blinding flash—his life changed forever (Acts 9). And we simply cannot overstate the importance of this moment.

One moment, he was “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord,” (Acts 9:1), and three days later he received a vision from Jesus that a man named Ananias would restore his sight (Acts 9:12).

Saul was transformed from persecutor to prophet. But he first had to encounter the gospel power of Jesus.

Today, my prayer isn’t first: “Lord use me like Paul!” It’s, “Lord change me like Saul!”

As the saying goes: Changed people change people.

Do you long for Christ’s power in you—or just through you?

He was a repeat offender.

In and out of the penal system all of his adult life. In fact, he would end up dying in prison. But, as we know, he was much more than a common criminal.

The only laws he broke were those that stood against the advancement of God’s Kingdom. A radical departure from his former way of life!

In today’s devotional verse, he explains how he views his imprisonment: 

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Philippians 1:12-14 (ESV)

Today, we know Paul was innocent. The Philippians knew it, too. Heck, even Paul knew Paul was innocent!

But rather than don the mantle of a victim and cry, “Woe is me!”— Paul thought about and prayed for the Philippian church (Philippians 1:3-4).

Rather than be consumed with thoughts about himself and the injustice he suffered, he considered others and what was happening in their lives.

How did he do this?

How could he elevate his mind from dwelling solely on his circumstances to pray for others?

And then, to top it all off, how did he experience joy from this practice?

How Paul’s Trials Advance The Gospel

Paul did this because he understood what his trials were for. Plain and simple, he knew trials advance the Gospel. And at his core, that’s what Paul was all about.

That’s what he spent his life “being poured out as a drink offering” for.

Just like an upturned glass of fine merlot, Paul spilt everything he had to serve Jesus.

Paul knew that:

1. His trials propelled the Gospel forward in a way that he couldn’t orchestrate via his own power, eloquence, or influence.
2. His trials were used for the benefit of others, to build up, edify, and strengthen them.
3. His trials served to make others bold in advancing the gospel alongside of him because of how he faced them.

Paul didn’t wallow in self-pity or launch a PR campaign to garner sympathy. Rather, he rejoiced that God was at work through both his circumstances and his attitude in them.

To our God, obstacles are opportunities. Because where human strength fails, God’s power shines.

All eyes can fixate and focus on the singular, undeniable power at work because no one could possibly take the credit except for him.

• What’s your first reaction to trials in your life?
• Do you believe your trials advance the Gospel?
• When you are wronged or face injustice, do you see it as an opportunity to advance the Gospel, edify your brothers and sisters in Christ, and embolden the Church?
• Where in your life can you prayerfully put this attitude into practice right now?
• Do you expect joy or displeasure in this practice? Why?

Flee sexual immorality! Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body.

1 Corinthians 6:18 CSB

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

The catchphrase essentially says, “Come do some naughty stuff here then go home and scrub the memories away.”

Trouble is, that’s not how sin works. Sin is more than morally bad activity. Sin changes us—permanently.

That’s why 1 Corinthians 6:18 is so helpful for us. While Paul is talking about sexual sin, he’s also showing us that it hurts us. It’s destructive. It’s an attack on your very body.

What 1 Corinthians 6:18 Teaches Us About the Nature of Sin

Because sin doesn’t scrub off eventually like a Sharpie. It’s not an external problem—it’s an internal one.

In Matthew 15:11, Jesus said: “It’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth—this defiles a person.”

The problem is not all the sin “out there.” It’s all the sin “in here.”

So when we leave our proverbial Las Vegas, what happened can’t stay there. Because it always travels with us.

While this is true for sexual sin, it’s true for sin as a whole.

Greed and gluttony. Lies and lust. No matter the sin, it burrows deep. But that is why the Gospel has so much hope and glory, my friends!

What we could never hope to heal or atone for ourselves

Paul tells us exactly what happened. Pay attention if you’ve never noticed this before in 2 Corinthians 5:21:

“He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

It’s not just that Jesus died for our purely external sins. It’s that he became sin and God poured out his wrath against sin itself by tearing his body apart.

This was part of his horror and anguish on the cross. Jesus took both the blade and the blame.

The glory?

He didn’t stay dead.

Our Jesus is alive. His blood has cleansed us of all the sin we could never wash off. Tell somebody today.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13 ESV)

We spend a lot of time thinking about God’s plans for us.

While this is definitely a wonderful thing, it’s easy to have the attitude: “It’s all about me.”

God cares about every intricate detail in our lives. Jesus said that he even numbers the hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7). And after all, when compared to God, everything is small.

But should we expect that the main purpose of God’s plans is to make us happy right here, right now?

Jeremiah’s message in today’s devotional verses is radically different.

Jeremiah wrote to a group of people held captive. They were ripped from their homes and now live in exile. He was reminding them that although they’re not where they expected, God has not forgotten them.

Even amidst this insanely hard situation, God’s plan will stand. As Jeremiah knows very well, God’s plans are always good.

God hasn’t forgotten them.

God hasn't forgotten his people—just like he hasn't forgotten you.
Share on X

Just a few verses earlier, we see a big part of God’s plan for them is to “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile” (Jeremiah 29:7).

In other words, God wants them to know his plans are not just to benefit them personally. God is also telling them that he is not removing them from the situation immediately.

He does promise to restore them; but it’s not coming quickly. Instead, it’s 70 years out, when many of them will be dead.

God is letting them know they can move forward, because in the eternal picture, God’s justice will prevail and everything will be made right.

God’s Plans For Us

Today, during tough situations, God wants us to know he has a plan and purpose.

He also wants us to know that as we submit to his plan, he will use us to bless the world. The key remains during both good and difficult times: You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.

How does God want you to trust his plan amid life’s daily difficulties? How does God want to use you to be a blessing to others?

Here are your next steps:

1. Pray: “Lord, where am I resisting the place You’ve planted me?”
2. Journal: List one exile-like circumstance; write how God might use it.
3. Share: Tell a friend what you’re seeking God for this week.

I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

Proverbs 24:30–34 ESV

I’ve always thought about today’s passage in an external sense, rather than about the spiritual life. After all, that’s how it presents itself.

The lazy person reaps ruin while the diligent can expect a healthy harvest.

Simple. Makes sense. It’s a good challenge to keep me working hard and ensure I don’t let myself slack off.

But what if we consider this sowing-and-reaping principle in terms of our spiritual life? Specifically in our relationship with God.

We might not all live in castles or own vineyards, but we do all have the most valuable possession in the world: a human heart, soul, and spiritual life that needs tending.

Which scene resembles your inner quality of life in the following ways:

1. 1. Your spiritual life and relationship with the Lord,
   2. and your relationship with yourself?

If you’re like me, it’s probably a mix of the two.

Tending To Your Spiritual Life

There are places in my relationship with the Lord I can honestly say are well-cultivated.

For me, being in the Bible and in prayer are two places I’ve experienced incredible life. I have also put myself on the line in order to be obedient to his direction—even though it’s been scary and uncomfortable.

It’s a mainstay of my personal relationship with Jesus.

I may not have a heart populated by colonnades and cascading fountains, but there is life there for both myself and for others.

But if I dig deeper:

• • What about pride and my desire for recognition and praise?

• • What about envy?

• • What about my greed?

• • What about mean-spiritedness and incessant judgment of other people based on appearances?
  • What about how I deal with anger?
  • And the list goes on…

You see, the further I look past the well-tended fixtures of my inner life, I notice neglected places and crumbling walls.

I see nettles intruding on flower beds, choking the life out of what is good.

Tending To Your Personal Inner Life

The same goes for my relationship with myself.

• • Do I hold myself accountable for my attitudes?

• • Do I deal with anger before it blossoms into resentment?

• • Am I the same man in private as I am in public?

• • Am I cultivating habits that, while not comfortable, will produce life?
  • And again, the list goes on…

I encourage you to survey your spiritual life in the same way. Find both areas that are flourishing and those that are crumbling.

How can you be diligent to tend to both? How will you increase fruitful areas while tilling up the weed-infested ones and starting over?

For me, it all starts with a willingness to see reality. So, are you willing to see the real problems that exist in your heart? Are you willing to admit that there are cycles of trouble in your life that don’t stem from everyone else’s actions, but are caused by your own attitudes and dispositions?

Here’s the deal. Until you own the entirety your inner life—the fruit trees and the weeds—you’ll never have the power or clarity to nurture it to its full potential.

So, if you find yourself in a spiritual draught, be diligent in cultivating the places where life can be found.

We can nurture wonderful landscapes within our hearts and minds—but we must do so on purpose. The question today is, are you?

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

Proverbs 11:25

There have been some sad and difficult things happen in my family over the last few weeks.

When stress is high and life is overwhelming, it can be easy to just wish for a way out, a shortcut to feeling better, or gaining instant peace.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

Matthew 13:44 ESV

Imagine for a minute that a man in a black suit steps out of a limousine. Hey says you can have any one thing you want in the world.

You want to live somewhere else? Consider it done.

You want the fastest car on the planet? Not a problem.

You want to see your favorite sports team win a championship? Mission complete.

Our minds race as we think of the one thing we want most.

But wait, there’s a catch… The mystery man says, “But, to have this thing, you must sell everything you have and give it to me.”

You might have the fastest car, but you have nowhere to live. You might have the nicest house on the street, but you have no car to drive or money for furniture. This thing we wanted so dearly suddenly doesn’t look so good.

Jesus gives us a parable of a man that wanted something so bad, it was worth selling everything for and brought him great joy. He called it the “kingdom of heaven.”

Right after this parable he gives another example of a man who did the very same thing. Obviously, the kingdom of heaven is and should be important to us as Christians as it was to these men Jesus told us about.

We read what the kingdom of heaven is in Romans:

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17 ESV)

The Apostle Paul tells us that he has counted everything he has gained as loss in order to gain knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7-8). This is what the kingdom of heaven is, knowing Christ and his ruling our lives.

As you read the parable and the word’s of Paul, do they resonate in your heart? Can you say I am willing to give up all that I have to know Christ and be a part of His kingdom?

Be challenged to live for the kingdom.

It’s time to set camp for the night, so you survey a meadow below to find the perfect spot.

You see two options: one is closer, the other is further.

The closer spot is by a crystal-clear spring flowing from the earth.

The further spot is by a muddy pool of water that you can tell has been receding.

Which spot do you choose?

While this may seem like an easy question, it’s a helpful illustration to set the context for today’s verse:

for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Jeremiah 2:13 ESV

In essence, the Israelites had two options before them:

1. They could stay faithful to God—the camp site next to the crystal-clear spring.
2. They could worship idols—the camp site next to the muddy, receding pool.

And sadly, they chose the latter.

Their leaders had lead them into idol worship of false gods like Baal.

Jeremiah uses the analogy of water to describe the true nature of their choice. To pursue idols was both absurd and dangerous.

Here’s how one commentator describes this passage:

The most reliable and refreshing sources of water in Israel were her natural springs. This water was dependable; and its clear, cool consistency was satisfying. In contrast, the most unreliable source of water was cisterns.

Cisterns were large pits dug into the rock and covered with plaster. These pits were used to gather rainwater. This water was brackish; and if the rains were below normal, it could run out.

Worse yet, if a cistern developed a crack it would not hold the water. To turn from a dependable, pure stream of running water to a broken, brackish cistern was idiotic. Yet that is what Judah did when she turned from God to idols.

Today, it’s easy to see how foolish it was for them to turn from the Living God to worthless idols. They worshiped silly trinkets that represented false gods who couldn’t save them.

However, we shouldn’t be fooled…

Our idols today may not look like those of the Old Testament—but they’re no less prevalent, and no less evil.

Check Your Water Source

So, where have you chosen broken cisterns over flowing fountains? Where has idolatry crept into the territory of your heart?

Examine yourself with these five statements to check your water source today (adapted from Tim Keller book Counterfeit Gods ):

1. My life only has meaning if I have power and control over others.
2. My life only has meaning if I have a particular look or body image.
3. My life only has meaning if Mr. or Mrs. “Right” is in love with me.
4. My life only has meaning if I experience [this type] of pleasure.
5. My life only has meaning if I am loved and respected by [this person].

My people have committed two sins:
They have forsaken me,
the spring of living water,
and have dug their own cisterns,
broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Jeremiah 2:13 NIV

God’s people had committed two great evils:

1. They’d forsaken the fountain of living waters.
2. They’d laboriously dug cisterns that were broken and couldn’t hold any water.

Commentator Matthew Henry summarized these twin sins as ingratitude and folly.

Basically, the people had turned their backs on God as if he was unremarkable, lifeless, and unnecessary (ingratitude), and instead put their hope in something that was fundamentally broken (folly).

And not just broken, but worthless!

What’s a cistern for?

It’s an underground, waterproof container that holds rainwater and run-off for later use. So obviously, if it’s broken, it’s not worth much because it’s unable to perform its core function—holding water.

To put it another way, how much would your car be worth to you if it couldn’t drive? Or how valuable would your TV be if it didn’t turn on?

A TV that doesn’t turn on has ceased to fulfill its purpose as a TV and has therefore lost nearly all of its value.

In Jeremiah 2:13, this is exactly what God says his people have put their hope in. A car that doesn’t drive. A TV that doesn’t turn on. A faucet that’s run dry.

This is folly. And on top of that, it’s also ingratitude—which is one of the ugliest qualities people can display.

Imagine that you’re in a Hosea situation and are married to someone who constantly cheats on you—even though you’re faithful, kind, and provide for their every need.

Then one day, it goes a step further, and they leave you for the person they’re committing adultery with. And what’s worse, this other person is abusive, breaks every promise, and takes without ever giving anything in return.

That’s exactly what God’s people did—and we still do.

That’s the thing about Scripture, it’s eternally relevant because the fundamental problem in our relationship with God hasn’t changed. We still choose our sin above his grace over and over and over again. But today, the Holy Spirit has given us insight into this behavior.

So, what will you choose, an ever-flowing fountain, or a cracked cistern?