1 Corinthians 15 verse 10 (NIV)
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them —yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
Paul was well aware of his past. He spoke of it often. It was part of his story, but it didn’t define his future. God’s grace changed Paul. He considered himself the least of all the Apostles in spite of his religious upbringing. But Paul allowed God’s grace to take effect in his life, and be part of everything he did from the point of his meeting with Jesus.
He didn’t try to be a Peter or a John, he allowed the Holy Spirit to use him as he was with all his flaws and weaknesses.
We too, all have a life before Jesus. But God’s grace was extended to each of us and the Holy Spirit will use us as He chooses. There may be other Christians, perhaps leaders, who we admire and aspire to be like. That isn’t a bad thing, but we have to remember that we are to be a tool in God’s hands. And not one which is mass produced. We are fearfully and wonderfully made and thus will be used by the Lord for the job that He has chosen for us to do. That’s what grace is all about.
Dear Lord,
Thank You that we are not defined by what we have done, or have been before we knew You. We are shaped by Your grace and Your kindness. Lord I ask that Your grace and Your kindness be seen in me. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.