The testimony of Paul the apostle is truly remarkable. His missionary journeys across much of the known world at the time were blessed beyond measure. What other servant of the Lord endured so many persecutions for the faith? He suffered frequent beatings, imprisonments, stonings, and even shipwreck. Instead of slowing him down, each trial seemed to inspire him to greater accomplishments.

What was it that drove Paul so? What would cause a man to be willing to be severely beaten, then get right back up and face it again the next day?

Paul’s testimony begins with a flurry of activity as Paul, on behalf of his beloved Judaism, tried to rid the world of Christians. He had risen through the ranks of the Pharisees, earning an elevated position tasking him with personally delivering summons to Christians to be arrested, tried, and sometimes killed.

The same Paul who began as a Christian killer, became the world’s most aggressive ambassador for Christ. What was it that caused such a dynamic change? Paul himself gives an answer to that question as his testimony continues in his letter to the Galatians.

Galatians 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

Paul had earned such a fearsome testimony, believers in the area had a hard time coming to grips that he had sincerely changed. In their minds, Paul must be plotting against them by pretending to be one of them, with plans of using anything he learned of them against them.

It took some time, and some convincing, but with the help of some well-respected leaders like Barnabas, Paul was eventually welcomed into the church where he began actively preaching Christ.

Paul described the Lord’s calling upon him in an earlier verse. He said, ‘…it pleased God…and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in Me, that I might preach Him among the heathen…’

That which transformed Paul from a murderer of Christians, to a firebrand for Christ was the grace of God upon his life. God had called him by His grace.

We often take the grace of God for granted, as it is so plenteous and available in our lives. But, for Paul, God’s grace was his lifeblood. God’s grace had saved him from a life of deception, to a life filled with blessings that would last forever.

Paul relished his new life in Christ. He was a zealous man by nature, God’s grace had redirected it into that which would bring Him honor and glory. Paul’s story is not unique with him.
Every believer is a trophy of God’s grace. Paul simply recognized its beauty and importance in his life, and let it guide him and motivate him for the service of Christ.

Thank God for His everlasting grace.