How Much Better?
We are all going to get to the realization that there are things beyond us. There are so many things we simply can’t understand. Isn’t it so much better to go to the One who says He has fixed things? If I, even as a professing follower of Christ, struggle to see beyond my own selfish desires, doesn’t it speak to a lacking in my nature? Even when I can walk by the Spirit and love selflessly, I must admit I still can’t will a preferable outcome to be produced simply because I would like it to be. How much better is God’s nature?! How perfect is God’s nature?! Not only does He concern Himself with the affairs of man, as He simultaneously tends to all believers everywhere, at every moment, and for all time, but He CHOOSES to show His love in this way. Not only that, but by His will He can produce the outcomes He desires. He even fixes them. How can that be?! Let’s end with some words from Paul who knew what it was to be against Jesus and desired to persecute those who followed Him. By no choice of His own, he was chosen by God to be His instrument to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15-16), and God conformed Paul’s will to His. Paul rightfully sees this as an act of God’s grace. Do we? How much better is God’s way?
Gal 1:11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.
Gal 1:12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gal 1:13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.
Gal 1:14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
Gal 1:15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,
Gal 1:16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;
Gal 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Gal 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.
Gal 1:19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.
Gal 1:20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!)
Gal 1:21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
Gal 1:22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.
Gal 1:23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
Gal 1:24 And they glorified God because of me.
—Galatians 1:11-24