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Articles
“I Am What I Am by the Grace of God”
What an accumulative and all inclusive affirmation Paul makes of God’s grace in his life, knowing his past unbelief and treatment to Jesus! Sensing his unworthiness to so much as be called an apostle, because he had so grievously persecuted the Lord’s people, he exclaims, “But by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor 15:10). With Paul it is not a matter of “Who,” but of “What.” This neuter “what” singles out his changed character and accomplishments in Christ; though a nobody to some, he is God’s redeemed possession. This is what counts, and Paul is not bragging!
The Bible sense of grace is comprehensively expressed in the word favor; yet, understood as favor undeserved. The idea is that God is for us. Paul writes of “the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7), while John declares “grace and truth came by Jesus” (John 1:17). It is through Jesus that we by faith access this grace; he is the door (Rom 5:2). The grace of God, manifested in the gift of his Son (John 3:16; 11:50; Gal 3:13) and revealed in the “word of his grace” (Acts 14:3; 20:32), was received by Paul for the change wrought in his life. Grace in his life acquired special significance for him, not just in his being converted to Christ, but in his development and labor for Christ. He understood as recipient of that grace, revealed through the cross, it could be nullified—in vain (2 Cor 6:1).
Look at his past life: In giving his consent he endorsed the death of Stephen, and kept the clothing of those that murdered him while it was taking place (Acts 7:58). He breathed threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, both men and women, compelling them to go to prison (Acts 9:2; 22:4,19; 26:10). He punished and compelled Christians to blaspheme (Acts 26:11) and persecuted unto death the followers of Christ (Acts 22:4; 26:11; Gal 1:13). In the context of this mean and sinful life the Lord interposed through a good preacher, Ananias, whose preaching the word of God’s grace led Paul to a changed and higher level of living. He told Timothy of the change: “Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief’ (1 Tim 1:13).
His encounter with Jesus near Damascus resulted in his falling to the earth and inquiring, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). He was told to go into Damascus and there it would be told him what he must do. He obeyed immediately. Seeking ever to have a conscience without offense toward God and men, he respected the Lordship of Jesus in being baptized into Christ for the remission of his sins (Acts 24:16; 22:16). Yes, God’s grace is manifested in Jesus’ Lordship. Being the Lord he had the right to show favor; favor that gave Paul the right to a converted life. Paul had to accept the grace in proper use of it to be saved from sin and become a child of God in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 6:1).
Paul now stands in grace (Rom 5:2)! This grace teaches one how to live (Titus 2:11-14) and grounds him morally – conforming to a standard of what is right and good. As Peter said of Silvanus, “our faithful brother as I consider him ... exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand” (1 Pet 5:12). One’s steadfastness in this grace can be changed and, consequently, the person lost; so all are admonished to ‘‘grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet3:18). Without growth one’s standing in grace is jeopardized! In this Paul knew his utter dependency on God’s favor, and that the true teachings of the Lord must not be compromised. Novel teachings must be avoided, because it is the grace of God that we rely on (Heb 13:9). This is continuing in the grace of God (Acts 13:43) and shows how one remains strong in the grace in Jesus (2 Tim 2:1). Walking worthy of God’s calling is the aim of faithful Christians, and this is what Paul both taught and did “according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess 1:11,12).
Though Paul was saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-10), walked by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7), became what he was by the grace of God (1 Cor 15:10). He enjoyed none of this because God arbitrarily used his grace against the human will, but because Paul received this grace usefully (2 Cor 6:1). Paul knew that without Christ he could do or be nothing (John 15:4-7) and that God’s grace was sufficient for him; for, said the Lord to him, “My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). He said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).
The grace of the Lord was his theme, and the epistles he wrote all begin and end with emphasis on divine favor! (Rom 1:7, 16:24; 1 Cor 1:2-3, 16:23; 2 Cor 1:1-2, 13:14; Gal 1:1-3, 6:18; Eph 1:1, 6:24; Phil 1:1, 4:23; Col 1:1-2, 4:18; 1 Thess 1:1, 5:28; 2 Thess 1:1-2, 3:18; Phile 1-3, 25). What a theme to ever keep before the children of God!
