Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit (Great Lives from God's Word)

by Charles R. Swindoll

You’re doomed to disillusionment if you don’t focus on the eternal.

To begin with, fortune has shallow roots. The winds of adversity can quickly blow it all away. “Riches make themselves wings” writes Solomon, “they fly away as an eagle toward heaven” (Proverbs 23:5,KJV).

When you’re praised and applauded, don’t pay any attention. And when you’re rejected and abused, don’t quit.

It wasn’t human opinion that called you into the work you’re doing. So don’t let human responses or criticisms get you sidetracked.

Paul’s Response to a Mission Accomplished

the final of four observations about what made Paul’s ministry authentic.

In all that Paul did, the glory went to God.

“And when they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a...

The work may be ours to do, but the glory belongs to God. The responsibility is ours to embrace, but the credit is the Lord’s alone.

THE REMARKABLE BENEFITS OF AN EXAMINED LIFE

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The ministry which is unexamined is not worth continuing.

When

God paints portraits of His servants in the Scriptures, He resists airbrushing away all the warts and blemishes.

During a lengthy rest-and-recovery period in Antioch, they were summoned to Jerusalem to help settle a debate over circumcision.

Acts 15 records the issues and events surrounding the Jerusalem Council, the meeting of Jewish Christian leaders to resolve the matter, once and for all, and the official decision

Dr. Bob Cook’s words are especially fitting here: “God reserves the right to use people who disagree with me.”

FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON STRONG DISAGREEMENTS

three important elements that apply to strong disagreements.

First, in every disagreement, there is one issue but several viewpoints.

A disagreement is a conflict that involves an issue seen from opposing points of view.

Second, in disagreements, each side has validity.

The point is, there are strengths on both sides of most legitimate disagreements.

Third, in heated disagreements, someone usually gets hurt.

No doubt about it, God offers second chances. But He also holds us accountable. He’s a God of grace, but He also represents justice.

Only God can take something that seemed so final, so much like a dead end, and transform it into a powerful force for good.

I’ve learned through the years a few strategies that have proven effective in facing difficult disagreements.

The next time you’re engaged in a heated conflict, you’ll want to

remember these fou...

1.When in a disagreement, work hard to see the other point of view.

Include in the formula three qualities that don’t come easily: honesty, objectivity, and humility.

2.When both sides have validity, seek a wise compromise.

Diplomacy solves disagreements at the table, not on the battlefield.

Appropriate compromises alleviate a lot of needless pain.

We move forward on the basis of thoughtful, careful consensus

and compromise in most decisions in conflict. But it calls for at least a partial sacrifice of deeply held views and goals which may cost all of us the loss of the best to reach the good of agreement.”

3.When the conflict persists, care enough to work it through r...

That’s not how to handle disagreements. Work it through. Stay at it. It’s some of the hardest work you’ll do, but it’s also the most rewarding.

4.When it cannot be resolved, graciously agree to disagree without becoming disagreeable.

add three more words of advice?

Get over it!

Honestly, not all separations lead to bad endings. Some of the greatest seminaries were birthed from a crucible of conflict.

A FINAL THOUGHT

“Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they’re doing.”

He interceded on behalf of His enemies. What a magnificent model of forgiveness!

As a result of His sacrificial death, reconciliation was made between man and God. He’s our model for correctly resolving

disputes. Ultimately, it’s a matter of forgiveness.