The Apostle Paul was not a compromising man. When it came to the message and standards of Christ, he didn't retreat. He didn't revise his message to conciliate his audience. His strong words—and his tender words—were designed to revise his audience in order to bring their lives into harmony with Christ.
And it isn't as though Paul went untested! He nearly lost his life several times, and he was frequently harassed and persecuted by those who resisted and even hated what he had to say. But his faith and, in some ways more important, his love remained steadfast. He may have been resolute and unbending, but his life shone and radiated with love.
His message reached many hearts. And the life-giving power of God that changed the course of Paul's life changed the course of their lives as well. His Gentile converts were introduced to a new moral, ethical, and spiritual culture. As so much of this was at odds with the society that surrounded them, it was natural for them to meet together to support each other, to dig deeper into the realm and purpose of Spirit, and to celebrate their redemption from sin.
