The Apostle Paul is known as the greatest missionary that ever lived. One cannot engage in a study of the missional life without including an examination of the life of Paul. As we consider the example Paul set as a missional man, there are six things about the kind of man Paul was that is helpful for us today in our quest to become a missional people.

                A Transformed Man. Before Paul became the greatest missionary that ever lived, he was a wicked man. He was caught up in religion and missed the whole point of why Jesus came. He was an enemy of the cross. He was a persecutor of the church. However, on one glorious day on the Damascus road, Paul had an encounter with Jesus. He placed is faith in the Lord Jesus and became a new man. He was completely transformed. Later, Paul wrote to the church at Rome and said the following in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”^[1]Paul said we are not to be conformed to this world, but we are to be transformed. A missional man is one that has been transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is a new man. His life is completely changed. When God gets a hold of your life and you trust in Jesus and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, you will never be the same again.

                A Separated Man. Romans 1:1 says, Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.”^[2] Paul was separated unto the Gospel. There are really two types of separation in the life of a believer. First of all, at conversion we are separated from the world. All those who put their faith in the Lord Jesus are adopted into the family of God. We are given a new citizenship. No longer are we citizens of this world. We are now citizens of the Kingdom of God. We have been born again. We are birthed into the family of God. Thus, we are no longer of this world. Therefore, we are to live a life that is separated from the world. We are to no longer live according to the ways of the world, we are to live in obedience to Christ alone. Secondly, through sanctification we are separated unto the Gospel. Like Paul, as believers in Christ, we are separated unto the Gospel. We have been set-apart for a purpose. We are called to live a life that is wholly devoted to the advancement of the Kingdom of God and the proclamation of the Gospel around the world. Missional people are separated people. They are separated from the world. and they are separated for the purpose of proclaiming the good news of Jesus.

                An Unashamed Man. Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”^[3] Paul made it very clear that he was not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He knew what the Gospel can do. He understood it’s power. He understood that the Gospel has the power to bring salvation to all who believe. He understood that the Gospel has the power to change a life. Someone who is living a missional life is one that is not ashamed of the Gospel. They boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus because they know how powerful it is.

                A Spirit-Filled Man. Paul had a great ability to preach truth. He had a wisdom that came from God and was effective in preaching the Gospel. 1 Corinthians 2:6-18 says, “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”^[4] Paul was filled with Spirit. He did not teach with man’s wisdom. He taught with the wisdom which comes from God. He was able to reveal things that came only from God because he was so filled with the Spirit. Missional people are Spirit-filled people. As Spirit-filled people, they are able to communicate God’s Word to others.

                A Disciplined Man. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”^[5] One of Paul’s fears was that he would be disqualified from the ministry. He did not want to be set aside. His desire above all else was to be used of God. Therefore, he disciplined himself to do what is right. A missional man is one who lives a disciplined life. He understands the temptations and pressures of the world and he takes the appropriate measures to keep himself untainted by the world. A missional man will be determined to stay in the race as long as God keeps him on earth.

                A Local Church Man. All of Paul’s writings were directed to specific local churches in specific locations. Paul was a local church man. He believed in the truth that God carries out His purposes in the world through the local church. Missional people are local church people. They believe in the necessity of the local church All ministry must and should be done through and with the support of the local church. Missional people understand this and they are actively involved in a local church using their spiritual gifts for the edification of the church and for the advancement of God’s Kingdom.

                Paul provides a perfect example of what it means to live a missional life. He was certainly a missional man. What about you? Are you living a missional life?

^[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ro 12:1–2). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ro 1:1). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[3] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ro 1:16). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[4] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Co 2:6–16). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[5] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Co 9:24–27). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.