Saturday, October 8, 2016
Next to Jesus, who is your favorite person in the Bible? Maybe he or she is a "Hero of Faith," like those listed in Hebrews chapter eleven. I asked a few pastor friends of mine who their favorite person of the Bible is and why.
"BY FAITH ALONE" -- LIKE PAUL (OF TARSUS)
One of my friends said his favorite person in the Bible is Paul. "Paul was one who by the grace of God had a proper view of his own faults and failings while at the same time seeing the blessing in tribulations."
It seems crazy. Why would the Apostle Paul say, "I will rather gladly boast in my infirmities" and weaknesses? (2 Corinthians 12:9). What man or woman in their right mind would be glad about this? The Apostle James had a very similar message as Paul in saying, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience" (James 1:2-3). Jesus' disciples seem to know a secret about suffering and hard times. When you are going through a tough time, do you rejoice and find joy while you boast in your weakness?
It seems ridiculous. But Paul understood what it meant to walk with Christ "by faith alone." No matter what the situation, trial, or test, Paul boasted that "when he was weak, then He [Jesus] was strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10), because the grace of Christ was all Paul needed to trust in (2 Corinthians 12:9). Faith in Christ alone was enough. So Paul rested in Christ's strength when he was weak, rather than in himself. It seems crazy and ridiculous to rejoice where or when we are weak in life. But rather than running the risk of trusting in our own strength, which fails to avoid temptations or endure sicknesses, work challenges, relationship problems, or anything else, we look to Jesus for help! The cross of Jesus Christ is our boast, our forgiveness, and our eternal hope in the resurrection of the dead! We are blest to see tribulations like Paul did, trusting "by faith alone" in the power of God in Christ our Savior and through him the free ticket to everlasting life!
Thy cross, not mine, O Christ, Has borne the awe-full load
Of sins that none could bear, But the incarnate God.
To whom save Thee, who canst alone
For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 380:3)
