The Bible cautions us against being slothful, urging us instead to become “imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12). At the just‑concluded Shiloh 2025, Bishop David Oyedepo repeatedly emphasised a statement that has lingered with me ever since: “Don’t follow results; follow the steps.” The wisdom in this cannot be overstated. It is much like a student in a mathematics examination who copies the final answer from a colleague and hurriedly scribbles imagined steps to impress the examiner. The teacher, seeing through the effort, calmly marks it wrong despite having supposedly gotten the final answer. In life, as in examinations, the steps always produce the result—not vice versa.

Scriptures affirm this principle: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16). Tragically, the response of some was, “We will not walk in it.” In the same way, many believers are fixated on outcomes while ignoring the processes that lead to them. As the saying goes, shortcuts cut destinies short.

One of the clearest biblical examples of faith expressed through divine order and process is the life of the Apostle Paul. His journey—from his previous life to salvation, discipleship, growth, transformation, and eventual glorification is carefully documented for our learning.

Before his encounter with Christ, like many of us, Paul (then Saul) was a zealous and ambitious young man, deeply committed to his passion and profession. He testified, “I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my contemporaries… being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers” (Galatians 1:14). Yet, his zeal lacked true revelation: persecuting the church could be said to be his offence, but in more basic terms, his offence was doing his own will, neglecting and unconscious of God’s will and divine plan. His life exposes two sobering truths: first, it is possible to be sincere, passionate, and even decent, yet completely disconnected from God; second, zeal without true knowledge is futile. Paul himself acknowledged this when he spoke of some folks in the church who “have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2).

Paul’s transformation began with an encounter with grace. He testified, “It pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace.” Grace did not merely forgive his sins; it revealed Christ to him. Paul was the apostle who, though he never met Jesus physically, seemed to know Him more personally. (By the way, I am one of those Bible students who, for no reason, prefer Peter to Paul. Honestly, sometimes I feel jealous of Paul on behalf of Peter.) Yet, his contribution to the Christian faith and sound doctrine is undeniable, having written a significant portion of the New Testament by divine inspiration and intimacy. The question then arises: what did Paul do differently?

Grace always invites a response, and Paul’s response was total surrender. At his encounter with Jesus on his way to Damascus, he responded, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” From this moment, Paul no longer lived by personal ambition or religious achievement but by relying on the riches of His grace. He humbly declared, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Also, Paul devoted himself to knowing Christ— not just knowing about Him, but knowing Him personally: “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection”. This is why he operated in such unusual power, favour and grace.

For example, he was a man who worked special miracles (Acts 19:11) and was considered a god: “When the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, ‘the gods are come down to us in the likeness of men’” (Acts 14:11–12). Also, he commanded such unusual revelations and compelling teachings. He confessed, “The gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” In addition, he commanded an endless supply and satisfaction. He said, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound… both to be full and to be hungry” (Philippians 4:12). Above all, Paul finished well. At the end of his journey, he testified, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). His life stands as irrefutable proof that grace is not merely a head start—it is the sustaining force required throughout the entire journey of faith.

Results are never accidental; they are the fruit of yielded obedience, growing knowledge, and faithful alignment with God’s plan. Therefore, our call is daily to His grace, submitting to God’s will, and pressing on to truly know Christ. When we walk in the steps, the results will inevitably speak.