Is Your Testimony as Sure as Paul’s?
Good Morning Friends,
There are a lot of people in the Bible with whom we might identify. It helps in the reading of scripture for us to recognize characteristic of the Bible characters within ourselves. Perhaps you have a favorite. Bur perhaps one that all of us should learn more about in the hope of discovering more about ourselves is Paul. For example in today’s scripture Paul gives a testimony that should hit home with all of us for he had a calling that shouted out in truth his love of Jesus. Is Your Testimony as Sure as Paul’s?
Scripture: I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1: 12-17 (NRSV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NRSV)
Message: The beginning of Paul’s story is not a flattering one. The first time the Bible mentions Paul he is described as standing guard over the clothes of those who were stoning Stephen. Paul quickly went from supporting the persecution of Christians to leading it as he went from house to house to drag Christians off to prison. In all honesty, Paul was much like the terrorists of September 11th. He thought that he was fighting a holy war and doing God’s will. But he started out fighting on the wrong side. Because of his past it doesn’t surprise us that in our text Paul would humbly call himself the worst of sinners, after all he had caused God’s people great pain and suffering. But when Paul claimed to be the worst of sinners he wasn’t just referring to the past. He used the present tense saying, “I am the worst.” So if you have ever wondered if you have the abilities to do what God has called you into service to do, then today’s scripture might be an encouragement. For if God can use Paul, God can transform us too, even though we are not worthy. So friends, here is the message. While we might think that that’s the end of the story it’s not. Just as Paul’s life didn’t end with his conversion neither does ours. God not only brings us to faith, he puts us to work in his kingdom. God gives us strength and faith and appoints us to service. But all this should humble us the more. When we discover ourselves at the pearly gates we should be surprised of three things: First, of the people that are there with us that we did not expect to see there. Second, of the people we expected to be there that are not and, third, we really should be surprised that we are there in the first place. Friends, thankfully neither Paul’s story nor ours ends in the court of God’s justice; it ends in the palace of his grace. God saved Paul because his grace moved him to do so. There was nothing about Paul that was appealing to God. He was an enemy of God and his Church. God reached out to Paul because he felt like reaching out to Paul. Do you still see yourself in Paul’s story? I hope so because Paul said in his letter to the Ephesian Christians, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Indeed, the Apostle considered his own testimony as a pattern of the patience and long-suffering of the Lord towards all who will believe. Perhaps Paul’s testimony can strengthen ours.
Pray that the Holy Spirit leads us to identify with Paul. Pray we acknowledge we too are as the chief of sinners. Pray that we acknowledge that we too have been chosen by grace. Pray that we like Paul are cheerful in service. Pray we not fall for the Devil’s lie that we are not that bad of a person compared to others and therefore will be accepted by God just the way we are. Pray we realize that the terrorists of September 11th may well have to pay for their acts of destruction throughout eternity but so will we face that same fate if we continue to live comfortably in our sin. Pray we boast only in the Lord for it is God who saves sinners.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 