MICHELLE COOK HALL: THIS JOURNEY IS A PROCESS

In the bible, Paul was enlightened and exposed to a truth he never quite expected. It was revealed to Paul that the God who he had been serving, he had radically misunderstood. Paul was a highly trained man and very educated. His understanding of the law, tradition, Israel history and God’s grace and love had to be completely rethought. Paul was summoned to dig deeply into the revelation that he himself had received. Who better to share this revelation than Paul, a man who lived in two worlds of Greek and Jewish culture. Five years after the crucifixion of Christ, Paul was around 30yrs on the road to Damascus, when he experienced a step in the process. Galatians 1:16 Paul described it as God “was pleased to reveal His son to me, in order that I might preach Him among Gentiles”. Preparing Him for the Glory! Paul’s conversion was the beginning of the process. When his training, background, his intellect, his achievements, all came crashing and he was treated as a common criminal rejected and despised and let down the wall in a basket.

Paul said I counted all things but loss that I may gain Christ Jesus my Lord, then began that marvelous understanding of God’s basis for Kingdom living in which He asks for total commitment to Him. We all will come to a place in our lives where we will need to re-evaluate where we are and where we need to be. Here are some steps that Paul had to take and that we all will at some point in our lives: Renewing of the mind is the first step of the process. To let go of what’s behind and pursue a spiritual understanding, pray to see clearly and really understand who Christ is and all He has done. The revelation that Paul speaks of is the impartation of knowledge and wisdom and its proper use in our lives. Identity is essential in the process. Ephesians 1:5 states: I am predestined to be adopted through Jesus Christ in the royal family. A chosen generation according to 1 Peter 2:9: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. I am an overcomer 1 John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. I am forgiven, redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ, and the grace of God. Forgiveness is a part of the process described in Psalms 51 verses 7-12: Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. David having witnessed Saul’s ordeal, understood the importance of the covering and gift of God’s spirit. Perseverance is definitely a very important step in the process. Ephesians 5:15-17: Be very careful, then how you live not as unwise but as wise making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is to be efficient and effective. Even Jesus found himself in pain with a bitter cup, pushed forward with perseverance to fulfill His purpose. But for this purpose, He came to glorify the name of His father. Psalms 84:7 states we should go from strength to strength. The condition of a believer should always be progress. Persistence and faith activates God’s perfect will in your life.