“For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.”
1 Corinthians 15:9-10 NLT
If anything claims to have real value, has the ability to bring about substantial change, then that substance should be looked on as a matter of great worth. In my humble opinion there is no greater power for life changing ability than the grace of God. How do we know that God’s unmerited favor really has life changing power? We can just look at those who were remade due to our Father’s grace.
My favorite example is the apostle Paul. He went from persecutor of the church to the apostle called to the gentiles. He went from a religious force of the law to a man of great love and compassion for the lost. Paul’s own words show the journey from religious pride to humble service for Christ. He said, “ I am the least, not worthy of God’s mercy”. Yet he also states whatever I am it is because of God’s favor and grace! Here is man who lived two very different lives and yet God used him to build his church and write his word.
When I look at the Bible, I see many examples where God’s grace changed lives, changed history. Don’t think it will work for you just look at the ones God used: Abraham was a liar, Jacob was a schemer, David was a murderer, Rahab was a prostitute and Peter denied Christ not once but three times. But, God used everyone of them for they were changed by his grace. God is still in grace business today so what are we waiting for?
In Christ
RJ