The Apostle Paul is a fascinating figure, not just because he was responsible for a good portion of the New Testament, but because of his complete devotion to Jesus, his extensive travels, his trials and his incredible impact on the fledgling Church of new believers.

Growing up, my initial opinion of Paul was that he was a grumpy old man, ornery and argumentative – perhaps due to his divisive argument with Barnabas about John Mark (Acts 15:36-41) or his confronting Peter over Peter’s behaviour with Gentile believers.(Gal 2:11-13) 

Of late, I am seeing him very differently – as I pull back and look at things from a bigger picture perhaps. Yes, he had firm opinions that he could (and did) argue and back up – but those seemingly more abrupt periods were interspersed with many amazing passages teaching topics like these:

Grace  –

 Check out Rom 11:5-6 (NET) – “So in the same way at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if it is by grace, it is no longer by works, otherwise grace would not be grace.”

Or Eph 2:4,5 (NET) “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you are saved.”

Faith –

Rom 1:17 – “For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, ‘The righteous by faith will live.’”

Faith is our “part” and should follow our receiving of God’s grace. Paul emphasizes over and over how the Father did everything for us through Jesus. We need to only believe to be saved.

Forgiveness – 

2 Cor 2:10 – 11 (NET) – “If you forgive anyone for anything, I also forgive him – for indeed what I have forgiven (if I have forgiven anything) I did so for you in the presence of Christ, so that we may not be exploited by Satan (for we are not ignorant of his schemes).”

I find two things about this fascinating: 1. That Paul includes the phrase “in the presence of Christ” in relation to forgiving someone. 2. That Paul makes the connection between unforgiveness and the schemes of Satan – who wants to destroy the new believers and their fellowship. 

Eph 4:30 – 32 (MSG) – “Don’t grieve God. Don’t break His heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for Himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” (Emphasis mine)

Love –

1 Corinthians 13 is famously referred to as a blueprint for love, but so are other passages like 1 Cor 8 where he talks about not eating meat offered to idols is based not in law, but LOVE. That we should love each other enough to put our own wants aside so as to not offend/cause confusion for our family in Christ.

Unity and equality –

Gal 3:27, 28 (NET) – “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female – for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

1 Cor 1:10 (NET) “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”

I have come to love passages like Romans 5 that give us so much hope and joy and peace, knowing that we are forgiven and that God’s grace is freely given. 

Rom 5:1-2 (MSG) “By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with Him, make us fit for Him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that He has already thrown open His door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.”

I would encourage you to read the entire chapter in the Message version – it gives such a heart-warming, soul-hugging sense of what God has done for us!

I have some questions that I would like to ask Paul:

1.What did you feel when Jesus interrupted your journey on the road to Damascus – changing the course of your life. Was it fear? Shame? Anger? Did your life (and deeds) pass before your eyes? 

2.What did you feel when Ananias prayed for you and the scales fell from your eyes? Joy, Peace, Release, Purpose?

3.What brought you the most joy in your journeys?

4.What was your biggest concern for the fledgling church?

5.What would you write to us, the church in Ottawa?