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Pathways Through Paul, Vol 2
Daily Devotional
January 7
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Today's Pathway:
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Yesterday Paul reminded the Galatian believers that before his salvation he had been a leading proponent of Judaism, and had been actively trying to wipe out Christianity in any way that he could. However, there came a point in time when that all changed. The thing that changed his life was "But...God". We have all heard someone say, "There but for the grace of God go I." What has made the difference in that person's life? "But God". I am reminded of Ephesians 2:1-5, which reads,
"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)".
Paul knew that his salvation was a gift from God,and that were it not for God seeking after him that he would have continued in his folly and wound up in an eternal Lake of Fire. All of us who are saved need to be reminded of that. Where would we be without the Lord? Not only would we be lost, but we would be wandering haphazardly through this world, trying to find peace and joy in brief and ultimately meaningless material or sensual pleasures. We would be slaves of sin (Romans 6:17), unable to either control or help ourselves, and we would find ourselves "having no hope, and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12). But God sent His Son to die for us, enabled us to hear the Gospel message, and lovingly redeemed us and made us a part of His family when we accepted it. This should cause us to rejoice, regardless of what our current circumstances might be.
Paul writes in verse 15 that God "separated him from his mother's womb". He understands that God had a plan for his life from the moment of his conception. This is not the first time we read of this occurring. Isaiah (Isaiah 49:1), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5), and John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-17) were all set apart for God before they were born. Paul next writes that God called him "by His grace". Once again he explains that he did nothing to earn his salvation, but it was given to him through the "unmerited favor" of God. He then writes that there came a time where God was pleased to reveal Christ to him and through him. We know that God revealed Christ to Paul on the Damascus road, and His intent for Paul was that he reveal Christ to the Gentiles. David Guzik had an interesting observation on this. He wrote,
"God selected a man before he was born for the job of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. That man grew up hating Gentiles, probably believing as many Jewish people did, that the only reason God made Gentiles was so they would fuel the fires of Hell."
Yet God not only changed his eternal destiny, but He changed his thinking about the heathen as well. He told him,
"But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me" (Acts 26:16-18).
God can change anyone who will allow Him to do so. Has He changed you?
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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