Extraordinary Living for Ordinary People
Part III of our three part discussion
The final section of our three part discussion we continue our look at how Paul encourages us to live extraordinarily through servanthood to Christ. What made his such an extraordinary life? Perhaps unwittingly the apostle set out his secret in the text. From it, ordinary people can learn what extraordinary living demands.
Taken from Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
III. Separation. Some people focus on things Christians need to be “separated from.” This is a valid emphasis. However, Paul put separation into a positive form, “separated unto the gospel.” This phrase meant that Paul had dedicated himself wholeheartedly to Christ and his gospel. The person so separated rarely has to worry about giving up things. He will find that many things give him up. Few children make a conscious decision to give up playing video games. But when tough sports and the opposite sex claim their attention and time, video games give them up.
Many things, some of them perfectly fine things, give up the person whose all consuming passion for Christ and the gospel leaves him (or her) no time for them.
An ordinary person who devotes himself to Christ has little time for life’s less important things. He will find his life most extraordinary.
An old tale is told about a wild goose who happened by a barnyard and gathered all the tame farm gees around him. “You do not have to waddle around in this much and mire,” he said. “You can soar on winds and travel to parts unknown. Break out of the ordinary and come fly with me!” he urged. The tame geese listened attentively and applauded his message. “What a wonderful thing.” they cried, but they turned and waddled back to their grain trough, leaving the wild goose to fly on alone.
Paul has given positive proof that extraordinary living is possible for ordinary people. What will you do? Listen politely and then go back to ordinary living? Or rise to fly with him?
