For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.--1 Corinthians 15:9-10
To My Daughters,
1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Paul declares himself here to be the least of the apostles who is not worthy to be called an apostle because he persecuted the church of God....God's people. Paul had made similar declarations...
For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.--1 Corinthians 15:9
To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,--Ephesians 3:8
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15
The least of the apostles...the least of the saints and the chief of sinners....that is how Paul identified himself. Now if that is how Paul identifies himself how can I possibly think of myself any differently! The more Paul knew and saw of the beauty, grace and majesty of God the more he saw himself for who he really was...a sinner saved by the grace of His God.
1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am,
In the Book of Exodus God identifies Himself this way: "I AM WHO I AM." Our God is the Becoming One, He becomes whatever our need.
Then in Exodus 34 He describes Himself:
Now the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 6 And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”
Girls, the God we serve is a God of perfect justice but at the same time He is a God of mercy! He is known for His mercy. Justice is getting what we deserve. According to God's law, we all deserve death and eternal punishment. I DO NOT want justice, I want mercy. I want to be spared judgment. When I believed on Him who died in my stead, I was justified. I put on not my own righteousness, but Christ's. I am, according to the Bible, a joint heir with Christ. That is grace..not just being spared the judgment I deserve but getting blessings that I do not deserve.
Do you understand now why Paul said it is only by the grace of God that I am who I am? He knew what and who he was without God. The more he knew of what he truly deserved the more he understood the glorious gifts God was bestowing upon Him. Paul had experienced His Lord's forgiveness, long suffering and grace. How then could Paul cry out for justice for anyone else if he himself had received such mercy.
If you are praying for God to bring judgment upon someone who is doing you some evil, then you are not praying according to the will of God and you do not understand grace. Whatever you are it is by the grace of your God! God suffers long and bears with our sin. God's will is that no one should perish but all should come to life in His Son. Pray that His goodness will lead not just those you love to repentance but also those that are your enemies. Pray for His richest blessing, which is salvation, upon them and their families. Pray that He would give you the grace to love them with His love.
1 Corinthians 15:10 and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
This attitude of Paul's is 180 degrees different then the attitude he had prior to his conversion. There was a time when he thought he was something. Here is what he says in the 3rd chapter of the Book of Philippians.
though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.--Philippians 3:4-6
All of Paul's credentials he says meant nothing. He may have looked righteous on the outside but on the inside his heart was black and full of sin. All his attempts to earn God's grace and approval that might have elevated him in the eyes of men, were a waste of time. He saw them as rubbish when compared to the excellencies of the true knowledge of God.
The life Paul lived after his conversion was in response to the goodness and grace God had bestowed upon him. He could live it no other way. Paul understands that he was a billboard for HIS God's grace and mercy for others to see, marvel and perhaps turn from their own futile ways to God. The works we do should be the inevitable outcome and outflow of the love that He has poured out in our hearts. If you understand grace you will understand that there is no other acceptable response to God but wholehearted commitment and service.
Serving God, girls should not be a have to...if it is there is something wrong with your view and understanding of God and the grace you have been shown. Serving God should be a complete and utter "get to" from start to finish. This is why all of us who believe are still here...to show the glory and light of God to others through our words and our life.
Love
Mom
