Galatians 1:15 (NLT): But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.

In the last post, we discussed Paul’s terrible past. We talked about how he wrought much suffering to the very movement and people he now eagerly joined.

We talked about how he was a murderous jihadist and how he justified his actions.

He doesn’t bring this up to brag about how bad he was. Of course he is remorseful. He reminds the readers, the Galatian church (and now us), of his sinful past to show the grace Christ has poured out for someone who not only didn’t deserve it, but was directly opposed.

We were reminded that everyone’s story apart from Christ is ripe in sin, and that as ministers, leaders or counselors we need to help give framework and opportunity to speak of past experiences in order that the grace may be appropriately applied.

If we offer condemnation and judgement we fail to lead sinners to the cross. If we simply discuss an individual’s past without looking into and discussing the future hope they have through Christs atonement we are only being good historians.

Some may mistakenly try and make more of their testimony because they believe their past gives them credibility. Others think some one else’s testimony is greater or more powerful because of polarizing extremes. The truth is, both self righteousness and self condemnation are born from opposite sides of the same coin.

In these scenarios, there is a distorted view that produces dysfunction in how we determine our personal value in His kingdom.

Paul writes “Even before I was born…”

Gods plan for Paul began long before his power encounter on the road to Damascus. Paul’s belief was that before he was born, he was chosen, and called by grace.

This means that Paul believed his pre-conversion life was no accident, or a result of mere happenstance. It was instead intricately and providentially designed by the maker of Heaven. His life-journey led him straight to Christ.

Christians often swallow sovereignty like bad medicine. We don’t like it, but we know it is good for us. It’s biblical after all, and we must accept it as truth. A God who isn’t totally sovereign, just isn’t God. As RC Sproul puts it there can be “No Maverick Molecules!”.

When we keep Gods sovereignty centered in our testimony, we give Him all the glory. When we push Him out of the way, as I said earlier, we really just want to glorify our past or future selves. We think that gives us personal value. This is the fault line.

We have value, because He called and chose us. In fact, that makes us immeasurably more valuable than anything else!

Before you did all the terrible and bad things… before you suffered all the pain… before you were born… God was already working His will for you. Further, before you could act on any form of repentance or redemption… before you could offer anything to anyone or thing… before you could ever be considered worthy… He chose and called you. And all of that, by and in His grace.

This is hard to fathom.

As the Psalmist writes:

Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
    mere mortals that you think of them?
They are like a breath;
    their days are like a fleeting shadow. (Psalm 144:3-4)

We are just shadows, vapers, breaths, mist… here then gone. Yet, He chooses and calls us to himself through His grace. For you, Jesus was crucified, and His blood poured out. For your salvation, Jesus rose from the grave and removed the yokes of sin and death from around your neck. He loves you more than the total “worth” of your past or future.

Blessed is the people of whom this is true;
    blessed is the people whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 144:15)

So then, brothers and sisters, may we be humble and give God glory. Let us loosen the bonds of our past, and the self-imposed restrictions of our futures, but let us never forget this is by, and only through the grace of God. We would never be worthy. We could never be worthy.

Therefore, encourage the testimonies of others, but be careful of boasting or self-righteousness. Don’t limit the repentance of others still, but be careful of loathing and self condemnation.

Lets us remember we are not products of accidents or fate. God administers His grace in different ways and how He see fit, for His glory, both before and after we follow Jesus. This means, we all have very different journeys. What may have been seem like immeasurable grace from one human perspective, may not be that impressive from another. Don’t ever underestimate Gods grace! The hard working absent father and the jihadist need Christ all the same!

If we are to steward the past pains well, while shepherding them to the hopeful future they have in Christ, we must examine and reflect on the Will of God, and how He has uniquely gifted them with His grace, throughout their life, no matter what that looked like, from dramatic extremes to utter mundaneness.

Because truthfully, God chooses and calls before any of it, and uses both stories for His glory.

Check out this video from the No Place Left 411 training on developing your 15 second testimony.

Peace be with you.

P.s. Here is a great clip from Piper on being worthy.