Grace through the lens of Paul

Bible study just ended tonight and we just finished the book of Philippians and I am compelled to write...Paul's life is an amazing story...he was a Hebrew of Hebrews, a student of the Law, a Pharisee, a Roman citizen, born of the tribe of Benjamin, he had it all.  In light of his world, he could not have been born into a better place.  He could not have been a better Pharasaic follower, both as student and as a teacher of the Law.  In his society being a Jew, he would have been adored, praised, and basically a celebrity of sorts.  A tremendous man who conquered many things, who was sent on a mission to purge these so called "Christians" out of town to their deaths or imprisonment.  He was sent as the leader of this mission for his reputation preceded him everywhere he went.  If at the death of Christ, I would not be surprised if he would have found joy in nailing this so called "Son of God" to the Cross.

This was the man often called Saul, but his life changed drastically on his journey to persecute these filthy Christians.  His calling in life, his passion, everything he created himself to be was altered, to be called to his real mission, his real purpose, his real destiny.  (As I am writing this I think of the many Christians in the world, who think they are following their calling, but in fact like Saul are missing it completely)  After his encounter with God he is sent to the one place that he would not want to make a friend, sent to Barnabas.  For a period of three years he had to relearn, rediscover, restudy, who and what God really was.  For his frame of mind was jaded, and during this period he was watched, gossiped about, and many of these Jewish Christians were terrified and skeptical of his conversion.  But amidst all of these things he persevered and became a leader of the early church.  It was a long fight to reorient his life with God, but as he writes, he learned that he can do all things through Christ who gives him strength.

With this background in mind, we come to the book of Philippians, we come to learn that he is in prison, for the very thing that he was going to imprison others for.  Irony at its highest level to say the least.  We soon find out in this letter to Philippi that he is ready to die, he is sold out for God and debating whether he would rather live or die...his internal division is difficult, for to die is to be with God, but to live is to be a benefit to others.  His division is not about himself, its about the two greatest commands of loving God and loving people.  He writes though as if he has chosen to stay for now, looking to the needs of others above his own, in which he encourages his readers to do the same(Chapter 2).  He also warns them to not put confidence in their spiritual accomplishments, for it is Christ who makes us righteous and nothing else, their is no hope in our flesh. 

Finally, we come to the end of this great letter and Paul talks about contentment, about learning that no matter what happens in life, if our trust is in God we can deal with any circumstance that comes our way.  No created thing can give us this peace that passes all understanding except the only un-created; God.  To sum it all up Paul with this amazing history and amazing journey says one thing, GRACE.

Can you imagine a better word for someone like Paul himself to say other then GRACE.  His life cannot be summed up better, a murderous Jesus hater converted to a magnificent humble servant of Jesus.  That is why he concludes with such a word, that to his readers would understand to such levels that would overwhelm them with emotion bringing them to tears.

Grace, when you think of that do you feel that uncontrollable joy and unexplainable emotion deep inside?  I know that after reading Philippians and reflecting on the life of Paul, I hope that I can come to such a glorious place to summarize all my work and all my life and say "Grace."  And that word without any attachment points toward God alone...who alone deserves the glory.

~CDS~