~ The Apostle Paul’s Self-Evaluation ~
The Least of the Apostles
~ “For
I am the least of the apostles, who
am not worthy 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 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. Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we
preach and so you believed” (1 Corinthians 15:9-11).
Less Than the Least of the Saints
~ “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, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the
beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through
Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the
manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities
and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He
accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with
confidence through faith in Him.
Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you,
which is your glory” (Ephesians 3:8-13).
The Chief of Sinners
~ “And
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me
faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a
persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it
ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of
our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ
Jesus. 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. However, for this reason I obtained mercy,
that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to
those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible,
to God who alone is wise, be honor
and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1
Timothy 1:12-17).
Glorying in Suffering
~ “Are
they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I.
Are they the seed of Abraham? So
am I. Are they ministers of Christ? — I
speak as a fool — I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure,
in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I
was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the
deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils
of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in
perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in
fastings often, in cold and nakedness — besides the other things, what comes
upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn
with indignation? If I must boast, I
will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not
lying. In Damascus the governor, under
Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison,
desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the
wall, and escaped from his hands” (2 Corinthians 11:22-33).
Not Glorying in Exaltation
~ “It
is doubtless not profitable for me
to boast. I will come to visions and
revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago —
whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know,
God knows — such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man
— whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows — how he was
caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful
for a man to utter. Of such a one I will
boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For
though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the
truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should
think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by
the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a
messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord
three times that it might depart from me.
And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is
made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in
my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in
reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2
Corinthians 12:1-10).
Comment ~
How about you? Do you have a
correct evaluation of yourself?
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
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