A Man Called Paul

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. (Romans 1:1 NLT)

The secret of great men are in their stories. Here's the story of one. He was a slave trader who plundered the African coasts. A self-proclaimed (and evidently from his chosen profession) wretched man. But on one of his voyages, returning home, steering through a violent storm, about to die, he cried to God for mercy. God showed him grace and saved him. John Newton later went on to pen the perennial hymn, Amazing Grace, believed to be from tunes he picked up from the slaves he formerly oppressed, but a true testimony of God's grace shown to him.

Here's the story of another. He began as a rigid, rabid nationalist. A dual citizen of Isreal and Rome. An accomplished scholar trained at the Ivy League of his day. Marvelous in mind. Nimble in the nuts and bolts of the most complicated legal system of his day- the Mosaic law. He was the know-it-all, the go-to-guy when it came to expounding and defending the law. A zealot to a fault, he single-handed took on the task of exterminating both the pioneers, followers and teachings of a new strain of thought began by an untrained, and eventually executed young man who called himself the Christ. In his passion, the went every where breathing out threats, leading mob executions and committing followers of this new way to prison. He was Paul the proud Pharisee.

Fast forward. Today, we consider Paul as one of the greatest men that has ever walked the face of the earth. He was used by God to write most of the New Testament, to bring clarity to the world of the meaning of Christ's death, burial, resurrection and ascension- the same Christ he hated murderously. He unveiled the essence of true Christianity and of Grace, and through his followers, the churches he planted, and the words he wrote, Christianity became the world-wide phenomenon it is now. Centuries after his death, men who changed the world like Augustine of Hippo, Martin Luther, John Wesley got their starts by reading the words he penned through the Spirit. Paul, the first word in the book of Romans, and the author of the book, has a biography that inspires and instructs.

What caused such a dramatic change? What turned this hunter to one of the haunted and chief herald for what he preciously opposed? What changed this man of works, who demanded perfection in the law into the man of grace who decried and railed against the simplest trace of dependence on man's effort in salvation ? What turned the worst of sinners the greatest apostle - though he called himself the least? What turned the proud, angry, hateful murderer into the humble, patient, weeping, praying, compassionate pastor and martyr? What was the secret of Paul's life?

It is simple. Apart from the two periods we already mentioned in Paul's life, there was a third period of his life. This period began with a mid-life encounter he had that he lived to refer to all his life. Like John Newton did centuries later, He met Christ. On the road to Damascus, he encountered Grace. Grace brought him to his knees, spoke to him, blinded him, then open his eyes and set him on his feet. Grace took him to the desert of Arabia, taught him how wretched a man he was depending on works and the law, and showed him the work Grace has accomplished and the secret of depending on Grace's work. Grace raised him, worked through him and carried him through distresses and sufferings until he completed his course. Grace changed his story.

Grace still changes stories. He still rewrite biographies. Would you let Grace do the same for you? In your own pride, passions and relentless pursuits would you let Grace blind you to your works and make you see His own Work? Would you let grace be all He can be in you so you can be all you should be? This same grace that made Paul is available to you now. He is Jesus Christ. Whatever the story of your life now. Turn to Grace. His pen is ready and his hand is willing. Let him rewrite and complete your story.


Decision of the Day

I am turning to Grace. Self-dependence is over. My story will be Grace alone