Thriving on Depravity

In Romans 7 Paul essentially talks about the personal struggle between his fallen humaness and his spirit. When you read Paul's words, you can really see the struggle that he faces to 'die to the spirit,' and the frustration that he has when the self acts, rather than the Spirit living in him. I see this selfish desire we all have as thriving on the depravity of our own self serving motives.

In the end it's just not about me, you, us; but rather about God and bringing Him glory on this earth. Serving ourselves will in the end bring depravity. So, the question is, will you thrive on God's glory or on the depravity of serving yourself?

Paul: know thyself (in Christ)

This week I've been attempting to meditate on Romans 1. I'm still trying to discover this ancient, lost art and have found it to be tougher than one might expect. However, God is faithful to those that seek Him and I noticed something that I most overlook when reading scripture.

As you may know (and if you don't, check it out), Paul starts off each of his letters with a sort of introduction of himself to his audience. As I mulled over this in Romans 1, I decided to check and see how he did this in his other letters. I think there is much to be learned from the simple introduction that Paul gives, here they and not necessarily in New Testament Order:

Romans 1:1-2 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand in the holy scriptures...
Phillipians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, Bond-servants of Christ Jesus...
Titus 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apolste of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth wich is according to godliness...

I Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by teh will of God...
II Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God...
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God...
Colossians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God...
II Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus...

Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead)...

I Thessalonians 1:1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace...
II Thessalonians 1:! Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ...

I Timothy 1:1 Paul, an aposlte of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope...

Philemon 1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus...

I have in the past found that I speed through these verses so I can jump into the heart of the text, the 'important' stuff if you will, and I'll bet I'm not the only one who does so. However, I think we are missing out on an important aspect of scripture and an idea that God is trying to convey through Paul.

Most any christian can tell you that Paul loved God and served Him in mighty ways. They also wonder at how God used Paul in such amazing ways and do things that we dismiss as impossible or 'not for our time.' In spite of the fact that God chose Paul as a special messenger to spread the Gospel, I believe that God wants to use us today in equally powerful ways. But, maybe He won't until we come to an understanding of who we are in Christ so that then we can go out and be used by Him in all kinds of awesome ways! Paul knew who he was in Christ and what He was called to do, and that is expressed through his introductions as noted here.

May God reveal to you the purpose of your creation for His glory!