This prolific writer, who wrote all of these letters to the people of God, amazes me more every day now. I must admit, I did not truly realize how humble, this man was. Maybe I thought he was much like many of us; always preaching loud, corralling the saints, coming down hard on all the issues and demanding attention and obedience. It just didn’t occur to me, that only a humble person, would be chosen to write half of the new book. He had seemed like such a rowdy individual; running dead after the new saints and working to help cast them all in prison. Really.

But I forgot something. That was before, he got knocked off his high horse, by the almighty power of God. The Holy Ghost shone down on him so very brightly, that he actually went blind. The Spirit, knocked him clean out of the saddle, if you please. I just imagine, that if such a light were to come beaming down out of heaven, and a voice spoke to us saying, “Why are you persecuting me?” we’d be different too! He wandered around blind for three days. He wasn’t boisterous and loud anymore; he was a different person, just like we are supposed to be. When he recovered his sight and was filled with the Holy Ghost, he had a different personality, a kinder spirit.

What kind of examples have some of us had? I tell you with assurance, I can remember when many good men and women of God, were humble. It was a blessing and a refreshing, to be around them. They were the kind of folk you could just sit around where they were, for hours. There was a type of kindness, that emanated from them; it was soft, warm and real. As a young person, I did not know then, that it was the real fruit of the Spirit. What I learned quite fast, was that there were others, ministers included, who were not like that. Their spirit seemed much different; because it was.

I don’t know where all of this harsh authoritative stance came from; this “Obey me or else mandate”. I didn’t really see, that Paul, could never have done such ministry and accomplish what he did for God and the church, without manifesting the true fruit. Oh, he knew how to stand up to people when it was necessary. But I feel certain today, he was not what many of us thought he was. He was too real; he admitted he had shortcomings. I still have trouble grasping, some of the things he said about himself. Like, the things he wanted to do, he didn’t do. And many of the things he did not want to do, that’s what he did. Well, you can’t be more honest than that.

He was a precious man. Oh, he was strong; we all know that. But look at all the things the man went through; things most of us have never had to face. Maybe he was different, because he knew he had to die daily.

Today, I am yet amazed, at how many times he told us to love one another, be kind to each other, forgive each other, be tenderhearted, lift up the weak person and on and on. You know what, as I write this, it almost sounds like I am talking about Jesus Christ; like I’m talking about the Lord. Isn’t that the way we’re supposed to act; to emulate Jesus Christ?

Paul had more of the revelation of the Spirit, than most of us will see in ten lifetimes. The Spirit had to humble him down sometimes; he admitted that too. If I want to be like the apostle Paul today, I must be like Jesus Christ first. It was Christ in him, the hope of Glory, that led him to great things. Remaining, the least.

Robert Blackburn