Do We Get Better And Better And Better? Reflecting On Paul's Downward Trajectory
By: Justin Holcomb
(Dates and Footnote added by Pastor Matt)
Paul refers to himself numerous times as worth “imitating” when it
comes to spiritual growth and maturity (1 Cor.
4:16, 11:1; Phil.
3:17, 4:19; 1 Thess.
1:6; and 2 Thess.
3:7, 9). What do we see when we look to Paul as an example? He makes three
significant statements about himself throughout his years in ministry that are
helpful insights into his view of spiritual growth.
The Least
of the Apostles (55 A.D.)
Early in Paul’s ministry, during his three missionary journeys, he
wrote six major epistles: Galatians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2
Corinthians, and Romans. In one of them, Paul makes a very humble statement
about himself—”I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an
apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (1 Cor.
15:9). Paul does not put himself on
par with the other apostles, as if he were equal to them. Rather, he calls
himself “the least of the apostles.” That’s a decent dose of humility worth
noticing.
The Least
of all the Saints (60 A.D.)
Toward the middle of his ministry, during his first Roman
imprisonment, Paul wrote Philippians, Colossian, Philemon, and Ephesians. In Ephesians
3:8, his humility deepens—”I am the
very least of all the saints.” Paul goes from “least of the apostles” to “least
of all the saints.” What’s happening here?
The
Foremost Sinner (65 A.D.)
At the end of his ministry and during his second Roman
imprisonment, Paul writes Titus and 1 and 2 Timothy. Early in his first letter
to Timothy, Paul writes: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of
whom I am the foremost” (1 Tim
1:15). Some translations say “chief
of sinners.” Paul sounds like a spiritual failure, like he is regressing
spiritually, not making spiritual progress.
Paul’s
Trajectory
Do you see the trajectory as Paul matures in faith? This is what
happens when you boast in Christ alone. Your weakness becomes more evident. You
can’t help but make much of Christ and little of self. That is maturity
according to Paul—boasting in nothing but Christ’s grace and our weakness.
True
Spiritual Growth
Paul isn’t just using self-deprecating hyperbole as a teaching
device. Each of the three statements about himself is surrounded by references
to the cross (1 Cor.
15:3-4; Eph.
3:7-8; and 1 Tim.
1:15) and grace or mercy (1 Cor.
15:10; Eph. 3:2, 7; and 1 Tim.
1:13-14, 16). For him, spiritual growth is realizing how utterly dependent he
is on Jesus’ cross and mercy, not arriving at some point where he somehow needs
the cross and mercy less. Paul’s view of himself diminishes and his dependence
on Jesus’ cross and grace increases. How do you talk about spiritual maturity?
Imitating Paul’s example, there should be more talk of the depth and scope of
God’s mercy, less talk of self-reliance, and an abiding fixation on Jesus’
cross that secured God’s grace for you.
Note: The book “The Lutheran Difference” says, “Some church bodies today teach that
sanctification, God’s process whereby He effectively makes us holy, is
progressive. The Lutheran Church teaches
that sanctification may vary at different times in a person’s life. (see Romans 7:14-19; Galatians 2:11, 5:17; 1
John 1:8) Lutheran Christians, along
with Presbyterians and some Evangelicals, teach that perfect sanctification in
this life, due to the persistent effects of the devil, the world, and our
sinful flesh, is impossible and that Christians claiming to be sinless have,
under the influence of Satan, deceived themselves (see 1 John 1:8, 10; John
8:44). Other church bodies, particularly
the Eastern Orthodox and Romans Catholic churches, teach that perfect sanctification
is difficult to obtain but it can be done-the saints, for example. Still others, particularly from the Wesleyan
family of church bodies, including the Methodists, Pentecostals, and Holiness
groups, teach that perfect sanctification is attainable in this life by any
Christian earnestly seeking it.”
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