God Running is a place for anyone who wants to (or even anyone who wants to want to) love Jesus more deeply, follow Jesus more closely, and love people the way Jesus wants us to.

In our last post we explored the massive impact Jesus has had on the Western world. If you’re interested, you can learn more here: “The Difference Jesus Made: Sex and Power before Christ entered the world–Acts 28:11-19“. In today’s post we’ll look at seven ways Paul communicated Jesus to the world.

Acts 28:20-31

“For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

“‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
    and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
For this people’s heart has grown dull,
    and with their ears they can barely hear,
    and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
    and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
    and turn, and I would heal them.’

Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

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So in our last post, we saw how after Paul had been in Rome for three days, Paul called together all the local leaders of the Jews. He explained his situation to them, and in today’s passage, we see how they responded: they were interested to hear what Paul had to say about Jesus and Christianity (something they perceived to be a sect of Judaism). So the local Jewish leadership scheduled a day for him to share, and in great numbers they came to where he was staying. And from morning to evening Paul shared about Jesus. Some were convinced but others disbelieved.

Finally they departed, after Paul quoted from Isaiah: “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

And Paul said, he would share Jesus with the Gentiles, because they would listen.

And Paul lived there in Rome, at his own expense, for two years. And he welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about Jesus.

Paul Shares Jesus To the Very End of His Being: 7 Ways Paul Shared Jesus with the World

What strikes me about this passage of scripture is how Paul continues to share Christ with anyone who will listen, even while he’s under arrest, in chains. Regardless of his circumstances and hardship, Paul shares.

That’s who he was. From the time of his encounter with Jesus, on the road to Damascus, in Acts chapter 9, Paul communicated Christ to anyone who would listen, regardless of his circumstances. And he didn’t just communicate Jesus with words. Below you’ll find seven different ways Paul communicated Christ to the world.

1. Paul Repented: After Paul encountered Jesus and was struck blind, Paul changed his heart toward Christ and toward Christians. The whole hearted way Paul repented was an example to the people around him, especially people who knew him before his encounter with Jesus, when he was an enemy of Christ. For you and for me, repenting from our sins and having a soft heart toward Jesus and his followers is something that will make us more effective in our efforts to attract people to Jesus.
2. Paul paid his own way: I know people who take a dual vocation approach to ministry, they work to support themselves and they work for God’s kingdom. I’ve always admired that. It’s hard not to respect someone who approaches ministry that way. Paul the tent maker did the same. In today’s text we see that he stayed in Rome at his own expense. It’s not the only way. But it’s a way that can sometimes result in more influence for Christ. If you’re considering entering into the ministry, the way Paul did it might be a good option.
3. Paul healed people: As his Lord Jesus did before him, Paul healed people. Both Paul and Jesus communicated love by healing. Maybe you’re like me and you don’t have an ability to heal others miraculously. If that’s the case, it’s good to keep in mind that anytime we rescue someone in crisis, we’re effectively communicating the love of Jesus. That was an important part of how Jesus loved effectively, simply by identifying a serious problem. If someone is obviously destitute, giving helpful gifts will be an effective way of communicating Christ’s love. If someone is sick or injured, you can anticipate that doing something to move that person toward healing will be an effective way to communicate love. The greater the person’s urgent need, the easier it is to identify how to love that person effectively. You’ve probably noticed who Jesus primarily chose to minister to: the blind, the lame, the lepers, the poor. He liked to love people with problems. And he communicated his love by solving those problems. An urgent need is a shortcut to understanding how to love someone in a way that attracts them to Jesus.
4. Paul talked about Jesus: Paul loved to talk about Jesus. In today’s post we see how the local Jewish leadership in Rome asked Paul to share about Christ. In other chapters we see Paul sharing in synagogues in the course of his travels, which was the custom of Paul’s day. He was probably invited to share in those synagogues. On the other hand, in today’s post when we see that the local Jews weren’t receptive, Paul announced he would go to a people group who would be receptive. I’m reminded of the time the Gerasene’s became frightened after Jesus healed the man filled with demons. They asked Jesus to leave them. So Jesus climbed into his boat and left. Paul loved to talk about Jesus with anyone who might be interested. But he didn’t force it. He didn’t impose himself. God and Christ and Paul, and Jesus’ disciples always seem to be amazingly mindful of the free will of others. It’s important for you and for me to be considerate in the same way. (Luke 8:26-39)
5. Paul wrote letters: Paul wrote letters, and I’m so glad he did! As a blogger, I can really relate to that. But mainly, I’m glad because without Paul’s letters, we wouldn’t have the same Bible. Almost one quarter of the New Testament was written by Paul. I’m a richer person for studying Paul’s writings. I think writing to people is an often overlooked way to communicate the love of Jesus to others. I’m not saying you should start a blog. But you might consider writing a letter or two to someone you think might be receptive. There’s something powerful about the written word.
6. Paul suffered well: Like his Lord Jesus before him, Paul suffered well. During the storm at sea Paul remained calm and he encouraged his shipmates. When he was under arrest Paul continued to share about Jesus both through his speaking and his writing. Times of suffering can often be our most effective times for attracting others to Jesus. Especially if we suffer well.
7. Paul surrounded himself with Jesus followers: You know, Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” So how are we going to follow that commandment without surrounding ourselves with Jesus followers to love? Lately I’ve been encouraged when I talk with my Christian friends and family, because so many are moving away from screens and toward spending time face to face with each other. I’m moving in that same direction. Today I had lunch with my oldest son Gabriel. Yesterday I spent a couple of hours catching up with (and praying with) my good friend Jay. Real life face to face interaction is the highest possible quality interaction we can have with another human being. You might not have an ability to make enough money to become rich, but anyone can invest in connecting with people, and when you do, you become rich in relationships. That’s far more valuable than money anyway. (John 13:34-35)

I love the examples of the Saints in the book of Acts. Peter, John, Philip, Barnabas, Stephen, and Paul: as we read about them their passion is palpable. These men inspire me.

I hope they inspire you too.

“Oh Lord, have mercy on us and help us to communicate the love of Jesus the way these Saints did in the book of Acts. Help us to repent, and to be responsible for ourselves, and to help people in crisis, and to talk to others about Jesus the way You want us to, and to write about Jesus the way You want us to, and to suffer well, and to surround ourselves with people who are filled with the Spirit of Jesus.

“Help each of us to offer ourself to You as a living sacrifice.

“Help us to surrender ourselves to You completely.

“In Jesus’ name we ask this of You.

“Amen.”

Notes:

Image of The Conversion of Saint Paul painting by Aretino via itoldya420 — Public Domain

Available on Google Play Books and on Amazon!

Love Like Jesus: How Jesus Loved People (and how you can love like Jesus)

Love Like Jesus begins with the story of how after a life of regular church attendance and Bible study, Bennett was challenged by a pastor to study Jesus. That led to an obsessive seven year deep dive. After pouring over Jesus’ every interaction with another human being, he realized he was doing a much better job of studying Jesus’ words than he was following Jesus’ words and example. The honest and fearless revelations of Bennett’s own moral failures affirm he wrote this book for himself as much as for others. Love Like Jesus examines a variety of stories, examples, and research, including:

• Specific examples of how Jesus communicated God’s love to others.
• How Jesus demonstrated all five of Gary Chapman’s love languages (and how you can too).
• The story of how Billy Graham extended Christ’s extraordinary love and grace toward a man who misrepresented Jesus to millions.
• How to respond to critics the way Jesus did.
• How to love unlovable people the way Jesus did.
• How to survive a life of loving like Jesus (or how not to become a Christian doormat).
• How Jesus didn’t love everyone the same (and why you shouldn’t either).
• How Jesus guarded his heart by taking care of himself–he even napped–and why you should do the same.
• How Jesus loved his betrayer Judas, even to the very end.

With genuine unfiltered honesty, Love Like Jesus, shows you how to live a life according to God’s definition of success: A life of loving God well, and loving the people around you well too.

A life of loving like Jesus. (Kindle, hardcover, and paperback now available on Amazon and the ebook is now available on Google Play Books.)