Paul's Subject

Today I'd like to share with you another posting I received in my Grace Gems (http://www.gracegems.org/) daily e-mail feed. It speaks to the life of the apostle Paul and who he esteemed most.

Paul's subject!

(James Smith, "Rills from the Rock of Ages", 1860
This one is a bit longer--but it it choice!)

Paul was . . .
an extraordinary man,
called to an extraordinary office, and
being sent to perform an extraordinary work
--he chose an extraordinary subject.

He knew history,
he was acquainted with philosophy, and
he was well versed in tradition.

There were . . .
few subjects that he could not handle,
few themes that he could not discuss,
few congregations that he could not interest.

But he made the conversion of sinners the object of his life--and he chose Christ crucified to be the subject of his ministry!
No matter where he went--he took his subject with him.
No matter whom he addressed--he directed their attention to this point.

He knew what man required--and what man preferred; but it made no matter to him. As he wrote to the Corinthians, so he always acted, "Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified--a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God!" 1 Corinthians 1:22-24

Paul's subject then, was Christ Crucified!

Paul CHOSE this subject--and he had good reasons