Impact of one---Paul

Your faithfulness to God never goes to waste--it's making an eternal difference in someone's life, whether you know it or not.  This was very true of the Apostle Paul.

The Apostle Paul's Strengths:

Paul had a brilliant mind, a commanding knowledge of philosophy and religion, and could debate with the most educated scholars of his day. At the same time, his clear, understandable explanation of the gospel made his letters to early churches the foundation of Christian theology. Tradition portrays Paul as a physically small man, but he endured enormous physical hardships on his missionary journeys. His perseverance in the face of danger and persecution has inspired countless missionaries since.

Life Lessons:

God can change anyone. God gave Paul the strength, wisdom, and endurance to carry out the mission Jesus entrusted Paul with. One of Paul's most famous statements is: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," (Philippians 4:13, NKJV), reminding us that our power to live the Christian life comes from God, not ourselves.

Paul also recounted a "thorn in his flesh" that kept him from becoming conceited over the priceless privilege God had entrusted to him. In saying, "For when I am weak, then I am strong," (2 Corinthians 12:2, NIV), Paul was sharing one of the greatest secrets of staying faithful: absolute dependence on God.

Paul's teaching that people are saved bygrace, not works: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-" (Ephesians 2:8, NIV) This truth frees us to stop striving to be good enough and to instead rejoice in our salvation, gained by the loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Source: http://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentpeople/a/Apostle-Paul.htm

Paul did not know at the time how far reaching his writings to the early church would impact the world of Christianity.  But he was second only to Jesus himself for spreading the Gospel and although he had infirmities that the Bible does not share with us, he was able to do this.  Never underestimate your influence and power in spreading the word of the gospel to others.  If you reach even one other human being and save them from sin because you shared the gospel with them, you have completed the Great Commission given by Jesus to his followers.  The more you study the word, the greater your ability to share will be.  Go, share the good news as it is written!

Faithfully in Christ

My Christian heart to yours...