Paul tirelessly learned to approach and simplify the teachings of Christianity wherever he went, and always warned that we owe nothing to any man except to love one another. For whoever loves another has fulfilled the law. To this end, Paul stated: you shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love does not harm others; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.
In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul adds that: "But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
And so he talks about freedom and serenity in Paul's letter to the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 7:21-23, to Christians: “Were you called as a servant? Don't pay attention to yourself; but if you can still be free, take advantage of the opportunity. For he who is called by the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman; Likewise, he who is called being free is Christ's servant.”
In other words, transposing this thought to a philosophy separate from religion, we can understand that Paul warned that we should not be concerned about external things, or the labels they call us, this is not under our control; However, everything that is up to our action to resolve must be taken, just as the servant who can be freed must take advantage of the opportunity, because even in the midst of chaos, we can maintain firm our spirituality, the good feelings and the virtues that It makes us human, and elevates our soul. Even if they put a price on you, only your perception in the face of difficulties is capable of making you an object. Your strength lies in the ability to manage the feelings you cultivate in your heart.
Paul, was a loyal follower of Jesus Christ and lived about 50 years after Christ's death, his story is full of twists and turns, since Paul of Tarsus as he was known, was a feared inquisitor of Christians, who supposedly received a called by Jesus to become his disciple and missionary.
Paul played an important role in spreading Christianity in his time, preaching in Roman territories and among the barbarians. His methodology was to preach in urban centers in order to disseminate his ideas around cities and villages, spreading to rural areas, achieving great success in expanding the church.
Paul is one of the apostles, although later than Jesus, most beloved among the followers of Christianity, for his skill in argumentation, rhetoric and ease of use.yesto communicate with the masses.
Another great teaching of Paul, we can recall in Corinthians 13:1-101, in which he explains that:Even if I spoke in the tongues of men and of angels, and did not have love, I would be like sounding metal or like a tolling bell. And even if he had the gift of prophecy, and knew all mysteries and all knowledge, and even if he had all faith, so as to move mountains, and had not love, he would be nothing. And even if I distributed all my possessions to support the poor, and even if I handed over my body to be burned, and had no love, none of this would benefit me. Love is suffering, it is benign; love is not envious; love does not treat itself lightly, is not arrogant, does not behave immodestly, does not seek its own interests, is not irritated, does not suspect evil; do not rejoice with injustice, but rejoice with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. The love never fails; but if there are prophecies, they will be annihilated; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will disappear; for we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect comes, then that which is in part will be destroyed."
Emphasizing that even having extraordinary talents, such as speaking in tongues or prophesying, without love, such skills lose meaning. Paul describes the qualities of true love, highlighting its durability, firmness, solidity, sensitivity and purity. And finally, it highlights the importance of love in the Christian life, as something more lasting and essential in our lives, in the spiritual aspects of the soul and in well-being with ourselves and in society.
Paul's lessons move between his personal experiences and give meaning in the field of ethics, morals and spirituality to coexistence on earth, leading him to be a prophet who became very close to the crowds.
In the First Epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 11-12, Paul brings a lesson about spirituality when using the metaphor of knowledge and describing the maturation of the soul, when he says that: “When I was a boy, I spoke like a boy, I felt like a boy, I talked like a boy, but as soon as I became a man, I put an end to boyish things. For now we see as through a glass, darkly, but then we will see face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I am fully known."
Making a brief interpretation, Paul compares the initial stage of his spiritual understanding to childish thinking and understanding. He recognizes that in his early stages of faith, his perceptions were limited and immature. Just as in our earthly life we need to mature as men and abandon boyish childishness. Hence he compares current spiritual vision to the vision of someone looking into a fogged mirror and how this suggests a limited understanding of present spiritual reality. He indicates that, eventually, we will have a clearer and more direct understanding when we are before God, that going beyond religion, we can understand how our inner serenity, achieved through moments of meditation and reflection, which brings us closer to virtue, in other words - from God.
Paul's greatness in explaining the values of Christianity is expressed in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 13; and chapter 9, verses 6-12, in which he talks about charity and the spirit of seeking to throw positive feelings and attitudes into the universe so that it returns to itself, the gratitude and positivity that it is capable of emanating.
Paul says:"Now faith, hope, and charity remain, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." But this I say: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully. Let each one contribute according to what he has decided in his heart; not with sadness, nor out of necessity; because God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that you may always have all sufficiency in everything and abound in every good work. As it is written: He distributed, he gave to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. Now he who gives seed to the sower may also give you bread to eat, and multiply your sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; so that in everything you may be rich for all goodness, which makes people give thanks to God for us."
The first verse highlights the importance of faith, hope and charity (or love), stating that charity is the greatest among them. In the second excerpt, Paulo deals with the idea of sowing and reaping, associating generosity in giving with the abundance of the harvest. It encourages giving with joy and promises that God is able to enrich the faithful so that they can continue doing good to others.
In Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." "Let us not become weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not faint."
Paul further stated that we should, therefore, follow the things that contribute to peace and the things with which one can build another up. But make no mistake, bad communications corrupt good customs. There is nothing that love cannot face.
Paul's advice for marriage alerts us to something that has long been lost in our modern society: marriage is about balance, understanding, complementing each other, reciprocity and fidelity, when he says:the husband should give his wife the affection that is due to her, and in the same way, the wife should also give her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does, and likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. And hope is not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, which is given to us. In other words, when couples propose to respect each other as one body and act with fidelity, care, compassion, love, construction, affection and reciprocity, they will be elevated in balance and inseparable in the face of difficulty.
Hebrews 12:11, highlights the importance of discipline and correction for the formation of Christian character and Paul's exhortation to Timothy to preach the word tirelessly, rebuke when necessary and teach with patience and doctrine. In these words we can learn a little more about important aspects for our own lives, leadership and fair firmness.
So this verse says: "Now, not correcting in the present seems to be a joy, but a sadness. However, after this, it produces the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who are exercised by it. No discipline seems to be a reason for joy at the moment, but rather for sadness. Later, however, it produces the fruit of justice and peace for those who have been trained in discipline by it. Preach the word, be instant in season and out of season, rebuke, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrineof virtue.
In Paul's letter to the Philippians, in the New Testament of the Bible, he brings an important saying about equality between people, even though he mentions faith in Christ, there is an important concept: "Because it is through Him that we both have access to the Father, in one Spirit. Therefore, you are no longer strangers or foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and you are part of the family of God; built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom the whole building, when fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him you also are built together for the dwelling place of God in the Spirit."
And finally, in Colossians 3:12-14, Ephesians 4:29, Philippians 4:8, Thessalonians 4:3-5, we can check Paul's teachings for a full life by understanding humility, compassion and the importance of a virtuous life. Thus the apostle said: "Clothe yourselves therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, with tender affections of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering. Bear with one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. As the Lord forgave you, so you will forgive; Above all, however, he will clothe himself with love, which is the perfect link. Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only that which is good for edification, according to need, and thus conveys grace to those who hear. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if there is any virtue, and If there is any praise, that is what you should think about, what is positive. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from physical and moral prostitution; that each one of you knows how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor, not with the desire of lust, that is, withgreed for material and sexual goods, like the Gentiles who do not know God."
Therefore,Be therefore imitators of God (that is, of virtue), as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you. And the Lord make you grow and increase in love for one another and for everyone, as we also do for you.
We stopped here! May Paul's journey serve as inspiration. In his search for truth, he reminds us that wisdom is not merely acquired knowledge, but a deep understanding of thehuman heart and of spirituality in God and a commitment to living in accordance with this understanding.
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