GOSPEL Reflections #1: In the Spirit of Paul instead of the Holy Spirit

Many times we move in our mission work in the Spirit like Paul rather than in the Spirit of the Holy Spirit!

Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” -Acts 21:13

When Paul stopped at a place on his way back to Jerusalem after his third mission trip, he was stopped several times and told not to return to Jerusalem because he would be caught if he did. It was also clear that persuading Paul not to go to Jerusalem was under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

But Paul carried out his mission. I think Paul had conviction, peace, and passion. Paul's situation in this area is very similar to the situation Jesus was caught up in. However, Jesus did not push forward on his own but accepted the situation for the right timing of God. Jesus accepted every situation without excuse or resistance.

I feel that Paul, in a sense, used his mission as a shield to push forward. Paul was focused on communicating Jesus' message anyway.

This is where we feel Jesus' love. We have the audacity and forcefulness to push through what we think is right until the other person understands, but Jesus was silent and just quietly accepted the timing of God without forcing anything.

"We can always be convicted to move like Paul in our mission work. We can be driven by our personal passion, devotion, and peace to do something for the sake of the message of the Gospel. However, like Paul, our actions may not be all coming from the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Despite our being like Paul, Jesus accepts us and still continues to work things out for our good in times of being so stubborn with what we think is right!"

The only thing forceful thing that Jesus did was to give his life for us. God's love cannot be measured.

Let us soak in the hot springs of God's love as much as we can on the Sabbath, let us be healed, let us enjoy God's love and share the joy! Shalom!

This Gospel Reflections is written by Masae San, a devoted student of the Bible who passionately embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on the Gospels as a way to reach out to others and spread the message of Jesus. We're sharing her message here so that you too can experience the joy that comes from the Gospel that fills her heart.