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Writings of David Chadwell Concerning this I implored
the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is
sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore,
I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell
in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with
distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I
am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Cor. 12:8-10)
Before Paul was a Christian, he knew Jesus was not the Messiah (Christ). He was
so certain he was correct in his conclusion, he arrested his own Jewish people,
knowing their arrest could lead to death (see Acts 8:1-3 and 9:1, 2). After the
events of Acts 9:3-9, Paul knew the exact opposite—he knew Jesus was the Christ.
When the disciple, Ananias, was hesitant to deliver the Lord’s message to Paul,
the Lord told Ananias, “Go, for he
is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings
and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My
name’s sake”
(Acts 9:15, 16).
No one valued more the gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ than did Paul.
The Lord’s mercy and forgiveness overwhelmed him! He once wrote of himself,
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who
has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,
even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent
aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the
grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are
found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost
of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus
Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would
believe in Him for eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:12-16).
In Paul’s estimation, he had been the greatest sinner alive. He received mercy
because (a) he acted in ignorance of who Jesus actually was, and (b) he could be
used as proof that if God could forgive him, forgiveness could be extended to
anyone.
Paul clearly understood that he was not in a saved relationship with God because
he, Paul, was wonderful and talented. He, Paul, was in a saved relationship with
God because God is wonderful. The fact that God is wonderful is seen in what God
did in Jesus’ death and resurrection. The fact that Jesus was Lord was seen in
his total surrender to the Father to achieve the Father’s purposes. Paul was
more than willing to serve as God and His Christ’s example of the power of
divine mercy and grace in forgiveness. Paul was deeply appreciative of the
forgiveness he received; he was more than willing to demonstrate God can save
anyone.
2 Corinthians 11:24-33 and 12:1-10 declare some of the prices Paul paid for the
blessing he found in Jesus Christ. Do not look at Paul’s sufferings as
retribution from God. Look at them as the prices he paid to confront evil. Do
not complain when your blessings cost you. Instead, focus on the value of your
blessings. Never forget, evil confronts godliness.
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Writings of David Chadwell
