KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 18:11 “And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them”.

Apostle Paul’s life has many lessons for the modern-day Christian. After the Lord told him to keep preaching in the city of Corinth, Paul quickly changed his mind about speaking to the Jews any longer. He stayed in Corinth for one year and six months.

Paul was completely given to the work of God.  He chose not to marry so he could be more effective in the Lord’s work. In 1st Corinthians 9:5, He says, “Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife as well as other apostles and as the brethren of the Lord and Cephas? He said he had the power to marry a wife like the other apostles, but he did not, for the sake of the work.  How could he have been moving easily from one place to another if he had a family? The church and its leaders must be very cautious about the way we seek to push upcoming youth into marriage. As much as marriage is very important and some would have to marry so they do not burn, there would still be some who would be like Paul and would be able to achieve a lot for the Lord.

The following is what Paul says concerning those who may be married. 1st Corinthians 7:32,33 “But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord. but he that is married careth for the things that are of the world how he may please his wife”. Apostle Paul was given to pleasing his master and Saviour. He did not want any divided attention, and as he says in the later part of verse 35  “that ye may attend to the Lord without distraction”

Not all children of God are called to be married.  Some would definitely be given solely to God and his work.  Many too would have to marry.  The church must promote both views, giving the youth both options. After all, life is not about what we achieve physically, but ultimately how we please the Lord. This is the kind of consciousness that we must give to the church body. It is rather unfortunate that most of us Christians are earth-conscious and are rather fleshly minded.  We should be heavenly-minded and earthly beneficial as well.

In Acts 18:14, Apostle Paul was arrested by some Jews who brought him to Gallio, the deputy of Achaia, to judge him. They complained about Paul changing their way of worship from the law to God’s grace. Gallio said he would have nothing to say about their religion. Note: The deputy set him free. At this point, it was not time for him to be arrested. God, our father, holds the right to whatever happens to us, depending on how we relate to his word.  Do not be afraid.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, enlighten the church body to learn to place you first in all things. Deliver the church from the subtlety of the worldly spirit. May the church make Jesus Lord indeed and not play lip Lordship.

FURTHER STUDIES

Matthew 19:12 “For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it”.

Galatians 5:24 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts”.