Keeping It In Balance!

Paul had a marvelous way of keeping the view of his own life in balance. There was much about his life that could have caused him to boast. There was also much about his life which could have caused him to really be down on himself.

Paul was aware of his rich heritage as he stated…
“(4) though I MYSELF HAVE REASON FOR CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: (5) circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;” ( Philippians 3:4-5 ESV)

That would have looked good on any Jew’s resume. Nevertheless, all that was nothing compared to knowing Christ Jesus his Lord. ( Philippians 3:8) Even as he viewed himself as a faithful servant of Christ in preaching the gospel he would not boast in himself (note 1 Corinthians 9:16-17) because his ministry demanded his stewardship of what had been entrusted to him.

Paul was also very much aware of his grievous sin before God. In his zeal as a Pharisee he had persecuted the church, though he had viewed himself at the time as living blameless under the law. ( Philippians 3:6) What he had done had been in all good conscience though he was in fact seriously wrong.

Knowing what he did not deserve, Paul wrote…
“(9) For I am the least of the apostles, UNWORTHY TO BE CALLED AN APOSTLE, BECAUSE I PERSECUTED THE CHURCH of God. (10) But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” ( 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 ESV)

Paul knew full well how unworthy he was to be in the position Christ had placed him. Writing to Timothy, he even acknowledged himself as the worst or foremost of sinners. However, Paul also knew the mercy he had received because Jesus came into the world to save sinners. ( 1 Timothy 1:15-16)

Someone has said, “God wisely designed the human body so that we can
neither pat our own backs nor kick ourselves too easily.” [source: calendar quote] Can we see that exemplified in the life of Paul? How about in the view of our own life?

We may recognize the advantages we have received to place us where we are today. We may also continue to be fully aware of our blunders of the past. Nevertheless, recognizing how we are viewed by God through Christ should leave us with both a sense of GRATEFUL HUMILITY AND PEACE. We must be HUMBLE (yet encouraged) as we recognize the high stature God has given us as Christians while at the same time finding PEACE in trusting the blood of Jesus to adequately deal with our sins. ( 1 John 1:7) In Christ the condemnation is removed ( Romans 8:1) and the only room for boasting is in Him. ( Galatians 6:14) Let us thank God that in Christ we don’t get what we deserve and praise Him that we are granted what we don’t deserve.

Have a great day MAINTAINING A PROPER SPIRITUAL EQUILIBRIUM!
Carl

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