You know who is outstanding? The Apostle Paul. He wrote more books of the Bible than anyone. His understanding of law and grace is unmatched. He is the intellectual of intellectuals, a genius who used his gifts with total dedication. His secret? Two things. First, his passion was unrivaled.
“I advanced in Judaism beyond my peers because I was EXTREMELY ZEALOUS for the traditions of my ancestors.” Galatians 1:14.
He studied, he memorized, and he put in the hours required of a Pharisee. But Saul was not some head-in-the-clouds ascetic, a bookish man who never got his hands dirty. He was an “enforcer,” traveling from city to city rounding up believers and putting them in prison. “Saul was still breathing threats and MURDER against the disciples of the Lord….” Acts 9:1.
The Greek here implies Saul was “living off his anger,” inhaling hatred like oxygen. He explains, “I locked up many of the saints in prison… when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.” Acts 26:10. Thus, Saul participated in the persecution and murder of believers. Saul was wrong—but he was committed.
Second, Paul relied on GRACE.
Saul’s life was changed when he met Christ. God touched Saul with His grace:
“God, who from my birth set me apart and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me” Galatians 1:15.
Suddenly this brilliant student of the scriptures discovers that his life of dedication to the law was never going to earn him salvation. He discovers we are saved by grace, not works—not even a lifetime of sincere works. Paul begins preaching grace and is even more dedicated than before:
“Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus… But all who heard him were ASTOUNDED…. But Saul grew more and more capable, CONFOUNDING the Jews by PROVING that this One is the Messiah” Acts 9:20-22.
Be passionate about the Lord. Be ZEALOUS. But remember that it is grace that changes lives, grace that gets you into heaven—not your works or your passion. May your dedication to the Lord exceed everyone else’s—and then remember that you remain wholly dependent on God’s grace.
Dear God, make us as dedicated to Your work as Saul and as dedicated to GRACE as Paul.
ΑΩ
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