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Paul became Christ’s chief ambassador, declaring to the world that God could change anybody because God had changed him.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (1 Timothy 1:12-16)
When Paul was bent on doing what he thought was right, he was fueled by anger to do harsh and hateful things.
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. (Acts 26:9-11)
Paul needed an encounter with Christ to stop his oppressive rampage. Only then did he abandon his will and in brokenness seek to discover what God wanted him to do.
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Acts 9:1-6)
Brokenness of spirit positions us to look to the Lord for help; and prompts God to look toward us.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalm 51:17)
… But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (Isaiah 66:2)
Paul’s focus shifted from the problems he saw in others to the need of his own life. Pride sees the wrong in others and where they need to change, (even attempting to force change.) Humility gives God permission to reveal to us anything He deems offensive, and wants to change in us.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23,24)
And see if there is any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. (NASB)
See if there is any offensive tendency in me, and lead me in the eternal way. (ISV)
We cannot and will not change in any area until we see our need to change. When we open ourselves up to God’s inspection we are willing to understand the attitudes that underlie our behavior.
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:12-14)
The ability to see what needs to be changed in us and the power to actually change must come from God. Jesus healed those who knew they needed outside help. For God to change us we must give up on the idea we can change ourselves.
And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:31,32)
All true change comes from God. If God doesn’t change us, we are not changed.
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. (Jeremiah 17:14)
Change can only come through Christ and our abiding in Him.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:4,5)
Many are open for selective change. They pick and choose where they want improvement, and where they want to be left alone. They pull away when God would take a “full inventory” of their life.
The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. (Matt. 19:20-22)
Even believers can convince themselves that “they’re good,” when they’re NOT. They can think they “have it” when they don’t. Jesus counseled such believers to gain real maturity and godly change through the fiery trials they faced.
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:14-22)
When we are committed to DOING God’s will and being ALL He wants us to be, He works in us miraculously and marvelously. We end up shining in the world and being a witness of the change Christ can bring to those who will look to Him.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:12-15)
We glory in ourselves when we accomplish our will. We glory in Christ when He empowers us to be and do all God wants of us.
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20,21)
To the degree we’re still struggling, not having found Christ’s strength in our weakness, we doubt that change is possible for others. But when we’ve experienced change in areas where we’ve long struggled, we’re filled with a confident hope for others, instead of condemnation. We point them away from themselves to the One who has changed us. The change in our life is marvelous in our eyes because we know that only God could have done it.
This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:23)
The best witness of Christ is a changed life. Those who see it are inspired to trust in Jesus for the change needed in their life.
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. (Psalm 40:2,3)
Those who want the Lord to be magnified in their lives love being saved to the uttermost.
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. (Ps. 40:16)