“Humble Assertion”

Tuesday, April 09, 2019

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. (1 Corinthians 15:9.10)

When Paul visited Corinth, he preached the simple gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It was the acceptance of this message by which he and his audience had been saved.

Such a remarkable story as the resurrection of Christ needed witnesses. Among these witnesses was Paul: “one born out of due time”. (vs.8) He was chosen to be Christ’s special instrument to preach to the Gentiles. The previous life before his conversion, coupled with those who tried to discredit his apostleship, prompted Paul to engage in the practice of humble assertion.

The life of Paul was certainly marked by courage. He did not shirk his duty to God regardless of the threat. When his apostleship was in question, he boldly defended it. He did this knowing his powerful testimony could lead others to the Savior.

Paul’s boldness was coupled with diligence: “I labored more abundantly than they all”. Truly devoted disciples are hard workers – giving their all for the cause of Christ. They’ve made great sacrifices, untouched by circumstances, good or bad to minister to others the soul-saving message of Jesus. Others profess to believe, but either does very little, or shout to the world the great sacrifices they made for the Lord.

However, Paul describes his ministry with words of humility: “by the grace of God I am what I am”. He found shame in having persecuted the church. If each disciple would candidly look at their own life they would also say: “by the grace of God I am what I am“.

Few Bible authors are given more to paradox than Paul. He was eager to boldly defend the cause of Christ and the authority of his apostleship that bolstered the message. He claimed pre-eminence in the labor that involved long journeys and many hardships. Yet he was quick to add that the fruit of his labors was due to the grace of God.

Truly great disciples will see things as they are. As they grow in the Lord, God‘s power seems greater and greater, and their accomplishments seem less and less. They zealously labor in the Lord, but give all the glory to Christ who is all and all.

By George Slover 

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