1 Corinthians 15:9-11
I struggled with writing this devotion. I’m not sure if you know this or not, but the devotional writers do not get to pick and choose the topic or scripture focus, but instead Pastor John prayerfully assigns them to each of us, and I really didn’t want to do this one. Today’s title is, “A Humble View of Myself!” In a self-absorbed-selfie taking society, you’d think that sharing a view of self or putting self out there for the world to see comes easy. That’s not the case here. Quite frankly, I have moments of “do not even deserve to be called . . .” Like, who am I to be on staff at a church? How could someone with my past be trusted to be part of the Women’s Ministry Team? Why would any parent allow me to pour into their teenager's life at Amplify?
Disqualified. Deficient. Dumb. Do you ever feel that way? Writing this is hard because I am reminded of just how weak and flawed I am. But . . . Oh the sweet reminder of God and His goodness, oh the amazing grace of God. I stand in awe of just how reverential and wonderful God is. God uses people like you and I because our weaknesses become a platform for His strength. It allows His grace to shine. It demonstrates that His power works best through imperfection, not perfection, and this brings hope. Ok, let’s get the magnifying glass off me and move to God’s supernatural transforming word.
1 Corinthians 15:9-11 “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.”
Paul is expressing that he does not feel worthy to hold the title of “apostle” and he regretted his murderous plots against Christ followers and his actions to wipe out Christianity. Paul’s life is now an example of redemption and purpose, a true testimony of humility, grace, and change. You see, Paul is now considered one of the most significant figures in the Bible. He became a church planter, a selfless missionary worker, and writer of a large percentage of the New Testament. Paul worked hard spreading Christianity and he was humble enough to know that his perseverance and efforts was the work of God’s grace in him. Not only was Paul's life transformed, but the church was transformed. Paul knew that God’s grace does both the saving and the changing!
Disqualified. Deficient. Dumb. Do you ever feel that way? Writing this is hard because I am reminded of just how weak and flawed I am. But . . . Oh the sweet reminder of God and His goodness, oh the amazing grace of God. I stand in awe of just how reverential and wonderful God is. God uses people like you and I because our weaknesses become a platform for His strength. It allows His grace to shine. It demonstrates that His power works best through imperfection, not perfection, and this brings hope. Ok, let’s get the magnifying glass off me and move to God’s supernatural transforming word.
1 Corinthians 15:9-11 “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.”
Paul is expressing that he does not feel worthy to hold the title of “apostle” and he regretted his murderous plots against Christ followers and his actions to wipe out Christianity. Paul’s life is now an example of redemption and purpose, a true testimony of humility, grace, and change. You see, Paul is now considered one of the most significant figures in the Bible. He became a church planter, a selfless missionary worker, and writer of a large percentage of the New Testament. Paul worked hard spreading Christianity and he was humble enough to know that his perseverance and efforts was the work of God’s grace in him. Not only was Paul's life transformed, but the church was transformed. Paul knew that God’s grace does both the saving and the changing!
Posted in Devotional