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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Although Saul was a “godly” man, according to his own understanding and definition of godliness, it took an intervening act of grace to actually bring him to a correct and genuine acknowledgement of God. An undeserved act of favor, mercy and grace interjected into the life of an arrogant, self-satisfied Pharisee; which drove him to his knees in sorrow, wonder and joy that he could possibly be used to proclaim the message of salvation to others.
His overwhelming sense of thankfulness and joy – and to be honest his previous education, innate abilities and disposition – uniquely qualified him to more readily understand and relate to other unbelievers in ministry; compelling him to go to any lengths to spread the good news of the Gospel. (See 1 Corinthians 9:16; Romans 1:14; 2 Corinthians 5:14) Prompting him to express a heartfelt thanks to, …Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I once was a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 1:12-14
This became the dominant theme of Paul’s life. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt how undeserving he was before God, his training in the Law thoroughly convincing him that no one could keep it 100% of the time. He was equally aware of God’s judgment on our best efforts found in Is. 64:6 as :…filthy rags…” God’s assessment of our best behavior seeming harsh, until we stop to compare our actions and their true motivation to His. Which in turn led Paul to acknowledge that, “There is no one righteous, not even one;…”, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,…” Romans 3:10&23 (Something many of us still fail to recognize, removing the urgency of salvation as well as the real joy to be found in it’s realization.) Which was not the insulting issue it often is for us, as Paul knew full well who he was and what evil he was capable of. (See Romans 7:15-25) What astonished him was the love God has for us that motivated Him to make – and then continue offering – a way out of our wretchedness; demonstrated by the fact that, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 Inspiring Paul to say, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:15,16 God’s desire being that no one should perish, “…but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
God’s grace, undeserved and unearned, saves us from our sins, from having to be good enough on our own, from a guilty conscience and a sense of incompetence; to the realization of freedom in Christ, to hope and joy in our release from the guilt of sin. A release from doing what we must to doing what we can. For,”…(we) were dead in (our) transgressions and sins; in which (we) used to live when (we) followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. And God raised us up with Christ – in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:1-10
A grace that released Saul to become Paul, much more than the self-made man he’d been before, allowing and even compelling him to do good instead of evil; that grace working its way – through him – across much of Asia Minor, Greece and into Europe as he became the pre-eminent Ambassador of Christ and Apostle of grace that God designed him to be.
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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