Wretched

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3.20-21

Sometimes, we occupy our minds with such insignificant needs and concerns that we forget that the Almighty is in us, trying to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.  As the Apostle Paul says, oh wretched person I am!

A living sacrifice

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12.1

The new converts lived an unholy life because of the idolatry reigning in Rome. By the Holy Spirit, Paul exhorts them to sacrifice their immoralities in the form of a spiritual worship pleasing to God. This is the faith that pleases God and ensures the salvation of the soul.

The Spirit of Promise

"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise."   Ephesians 1.13

The children of sin should not be deceived into thinking that Paul meant that the seal of the Holy Spirit is for everyone.
Instead, the anointing of the Spirit of Promise is for those who converted from the injustice to God's righteousness.
When the children of Israel left Egypt, they had the power of the Spirit in the Promise. But only those who are born of the Spirit carry the power of the Spirit of Promise inside.

LIGHT AFFLICTION

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory..."     2 Corinthians 4.17

Paul knew the meaning of affliction very well.
His Christian life was marked by tribulations. And yet, he considered them light and but for a moment.
Because he was spiritual, he knew that even though afflictions may be very difficult, they are nothing compared to what God has in store for His faithful servants.
It is worth bearing all the bumps in the road of life and maintaining the faith.

ONE THING I DO

"...but one thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."      Philippians 3.13-14

Paul was wise. He made sure to put the past behind him, in order to move forward towards the future. Intelligent faith requires us to do the same. On the other hand, emotional faith insists on remembering the past to counteract the faith of the Spirit of God. 
Anyone who wants to obtain eternal salvation must forget about their past. 

RIGHTEOUSNESS

"... not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith..."     Philippians 3.9

The righteousness of Paul did not come from his behavior before God. He was justified because he maintain his faith alive, practical and active in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That is why he was known as the apostle of the gentiles.