Apart from an understanding of his view of "life", it is utterly impossib1e to understand the man whose name was changed from Saul to Paul. His own life was characterized by a deep consciousness and keen intensity relative to things that were REAL. In relation to others, he was self-denying -- ever ready "to spend, and to be spent" in their behalf, (2 Cor. 12:15). His life, after the Damascus Road experience, was devoted to turning others to God as their Governor and Goal. Only in Him could life be lived to the full.
    In declaring a readiness to consider his own life valueless, for the surpassing Excellency of knowing Christ, he acknowledged the supreme value of the life that is real. He would far rather be "with Christ" than retain his physical life, (Phi1. 1:21-24). Even martyrdom would be a cause of joy if it brought blessing to others or furthered the progress of the Gospel, (Phil. 2:17). To him, the real, vital and significant thing was to KNOW CHRIST, wich is eternal life, (Phil. 3:10; John 17:3).
Paul taught that through the righteousness of Christ the "free

gift" came unto all men "to justification of life". The gift of God IS ETERNAL UFE. The spirit is life because of righteousness. And all who truly yield themselves under the lordship of Jesus Christ will, walk "in newness of life", (Romans 5:18; 6:23; 7:10; 8:2, 6, 19; 2 Cor. 4:10-12; Rom. 6:4). The materialistic gadgets of time are not worthy of comparison with the unseen realities that are eternal, (2 Cor. 4:18).
    For the last of the apostles, life must be viewed in its relation to God and eternity. True life is in and from God, and is ever lived in His presence, (Eph. 4:18; Col. 3:3; Titus 1:2). Thus, in his heart, there was eager anticipation rather than fear of the future, (2 Cor. 5:1-8). Nor did he ever tire of testifying concerning God's over-ruling providences in the lives of His people, (Acts 1:3:17, 21, 2:3, 30, 33, 36-37). God had truly manifested His working in Paul and Barnabas among the Gentiles, (Acts 14:27; 15:4, 12; 21:19).
    The God of life is OUR FATHER, (Acts 17:27; Romans 8:14, 16; 9:26; Gal. 4:6; Phil. 2:15). He reveals Himself to men, (Rom. 1:19; 1 Cor. 2:10-12; 2 Cor. 4:6). He sheds abroad His love in our hearts by

the Holy Spirit, (Rom. 5:5; I or. 9:9). Dealing to every man his "measure of faith" , (Rom. 12: 3; I Cor. 7:17, 24; 12:6); He fills our hearts with joy and peace, (Rom. 15:13; 2 Cor. 1:3; 7:6; 13:11). He limits the bounds of our temptation (I Cor. 10:13), and is our help and stay in the hour of trial, (Acts 27:24-25). He will shortly bruise Satan under our feet, (Rom. 16:20).
The faithful God has called us to "the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord", (I Cor. 1:9; Col. 3:13; 1 Tim. 1:4; 2 Tim. 2:13-14). He views the church as His: fellow-workmen, husbandry, building and temple, (I Cor. 9:16; 2 Cor. 4:16; Eph , 2:22). In Christ, He is reconciling the world unto Himself, (2 Cor. 5:19); making all grace to abound toward His believing people, (2 Cor. 9:8, 14). Working in us both "to will and to do His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). He supplies every need and bountifully provides all things, (Phil. 4:19; I Tim. 6:17;

    "Thou shalt stand before me; and if thou take the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth; let them return unto thee; but return NOT thou unto them", (Jer. 15:19).
    Faithful ministers of the Gospel are called "ambassadors of Christ", (2 Cor. 5:20). Called to be "watch-men", they must be awake, alert and laborious so long as the souls committed to their care are in any danger, (Ezek. 33:7). Every Gospel minister must receive his message at the mouth of the Lord. Having received it, he dare not keep silent or sit at ease in Zion, (Isa. 62:6). And it will be at his own peril if he diminishes a word from what the Lord has commanded, (Jer. 26:2). A steward of the manifold grace of God, he must be faithful.
    The faithful minister will "take the precious from the vile" as the husbandman separates the wheat from the chaff, (Matt. 3:12). He will never associate the precious blood of Christ with any supposedly meritorious works of man as a basis of man's salvation, (1 Peter 1:18-19). He will ever distinguish between the members of the household of

2 Tim. 1:7).
    What a transformation would be effected in our lives if we truly rose to Paul's high concept of LIFE THAT IS REAL! We would no longer be held in bondage to "self"; knowing the wise discipline of God's love, and the blessedness of His presence, we would be liberated to the joy of TRUE living!

faith; whatever their outward character, and mere hypocritical professors, (Lam. 4:2; 2 Peter 1:1; Gal. 6:10). Nor will he permit the precious word of Christ to be confused with the vain traditions of men, (1 Sam. 3:1; Matt. 5:9). Knowing that his Lord makes a difference between the whole-hearted and the presumptuous and slothful, He will ever urge the saints to press on toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
    Whenever the man of God is faithful to his commission, the word he speaks is as the very "WORD OF GOD -- "Thou shalt be as my mouth", (Jer. 15:19). He confirms the word of His servant, and performs the counsel of His messengers (Isa. 44:26). But the man of God must stand fast by the Word of God as He makes known the will of God. Such as depart from the Word of God must repent and RETURN if they are to be partakers of Christ's fullness, (Heb. 3:6, l2-l4}. The faithful minister will NEVER diminish or compromise the commandments of God to accommodate or meet the wishes of anyone. He is the Lord's servant -- responsible to faithfully proclaim the word of the Master.
    To promise God's best for less than whole-hearted devotion to His order is something NO Gospel Minister is authorized to do. And to act without authority is to invite His judgment and rejection!
0, that ALL God's servants were: "True-hearted, whole-hearted, faithful and loyal!" Instead of being "stones of stumbling" they would be instruments of blessing & praise.

    "Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper", (2 Chronicles 20:20).
    Trust in the· Lord is of far more value than bow, spear, shield or sword. God is ever faithful to the faith of His people. Entrusted to His care, it matters not what foes arise against us; the battle is the Lord's. He assumes the responsibility of caring for all who trust Him wholly, (Josh. 23:10; Deut. 28:7; I Sam. 17:47). By faith His people have: "subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword..." (Heb. 11:33-34). "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith", (1 Jn. 5:4).
    To trust in the Lord is both to accept His word as true and to entrust ourselves to His care -- resting our hearts, minds and souls upon His love and grace as revealed in Christ Jesus. It is to RECEIVE Him just as He is revealed in the Scriptures. It is to believe His prophets as they testify of His love to us, in Christ, and of the joy and peace that may be ours through the Holy Spirit.
    It is definitely NOT recommended that we believe all those who call themselves God's prophets. we are responsible to test their authority; and the validity of their message, by the sure word of God, (1 Jn. 4:1; 2 Pet. 1:18; Acts 17:11). Since faith comes by hearing, it is both the privilege and duty of all men

to avail themselves of EVERY OPPORTUNITY to attend an assembly where that word is being faithfully proclaimed. (All men will be judged of the Lord according to their OPPORTUNITIES -- even though they may not have as great understanding as they would had they USED those wasted opportunities.)
    To "believe His prophets" is to give attention to those who preach "the testimony of Jesus" which is "the spirit of prophecy", (Rev. 19:10; Luke 1:68-70; Acts 10:43).

    All men are called upon to BELIEVE IN GOD. He is clearly set forth as the worthy object of our faith, (Hebrews 11:6). Nor are we to regard Him as a far-off Deity; we must confide in Him as the loving Father of all who truly entrust themselves into His care, (Psa. 10:13-14; Gal. 4:6).
    By resting our souls on the promises of God, our faith will be strengthened and our hearts established. No longer will we, indecisively, halt between two opinions or be tossed about by contrary winds of doctrine, (Eph. 4:14; Heb. 13:9). Our understanding of spiritual things will increase; our faith will be strengthened; our assurance of acceptance will become clearer and our fellowship with the Father and with the Son will be indescribably blessed.
    "Blessed are ALL they that put their trust in Him"!


Through the rich man's window
    Joy passed one day;
He passed the scholar's alcove,
    Though bidden there to stay.

He brushed the cheek of beauty,
    Then rested -- foolish Joy --
Beneath the ragged jacket
    Of a little beggar boy!
Before God's footstool to confess
A poor soul knelt, & bowed his head;
"I failed", he cried. The Master
    said,
"Thou didst thy BEST -- That is
    SUCCESS!!"    -- Anonymous