Biblical Theology for Transformation - 23rd Posting

"And they glorified God because of me." Galatians 1:24

These are the words of the Apostle Paul. These are Paul's final words on his validation as an apostle called by God. I will admit, when I first read this, I was a bit taken back. They sound almost as if Paul is boasting in himself. Then I thought, "That can't be true...it's PAUL! The same guy who said five chapters later, 'But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.'" So what does this mean?

There was a need for Paul to validate that his ministry was from God and not from man. But that was not a selfish need for Paul to show just how important he was. His desire to authenticate his role as apostle sprang from a desire to validate the message he was preaching, the message of the cross. In verses 6-10, Paul says he is astonished that so many of the Galatians were quickly deserting God and the gospel of Christ. So Paul encouraged them with these words in verses 8-9, "If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." Paul repeated that phrase twice in those two verses, emphasizing his point.

The Galatians needed to know that the gospel message preached to them by Paul was THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOSPEL. In order for that to be recognized, Paul obviously felt the need to confirm his role as apostle, therefore verifying the message that he delivered.

As self-focused as Paul's statement appears, it stems from a desire to legitimize the MESSAGE. In order to validate the message, he had to legitimize the deliverer of the message...himself.

Once all these thoughts were cleared up in my mind, I still had to ask, why did they glorify God because of Paul? Can I truly say that of myself? Do people glorify God because of me? Is that selfish to ask?

Here's the reality of Paul's situation and what it means to you and me today. The people who surrounded Paul saw the MASSIVE transformation in his life. Paul, the greatest persecutor of the Church, who has now become the preacher of the gospel of Jesus. Imagine how amazing it would have been to see such a great change in a man like this. But Paul does not use this as an opportunity to magnify himself, rather, he uses it to magnify the work of Christ in His life.

Paul's message here is: This same gospel Paul preached, is the very gospel that transformed him from persecutor to follower. SO...how much more can this gospel be effective in YOUR LIFE?

Is the gospel of Jesus so evident in my life that people look at my life and see, NOT ME, but JESUS CHRIST? Can I say, "They glorify God because of me?" Not because I have done anything of value, but because the God of all creation and power has displayed that power in and through me to show Himself in my life. Therefore causing people to glorify Him because of Him who is in me?

As Paul stated, can you repeat, "they glorified God because of me?" Can you say, as Paul said in chapter 2, verse 20, "It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me"? Can you say, when they see me, they see Jesus?

So let me ask you; is the transforming work of Christ so evident in your life that others see you and glorify God? I think it's time we start praying for some change!