A Pattern

The Apostle Paul makes this interesting and significant statement about himself in I Timothy 1:16: "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting."

Paul calls God’s dealings with him a pattern or example of how God deals with all who believe on Him to life everlasting. So, if we look at Paul’s conversion, we will see great similarities in how God works in all whom He has ordained to eternal life (Acts 13:48).

First we notice that Paul hates the truth of God. Oh, he is a nice guy and very religious, but he is a self satisfied pharisee. He is blind to spiritual reality and doesn’t even know it.

He can no more see Christ and the way of truth in this state of spiritual death (I Corinthians 2:14, Ephesians 2:1-10) than a jackrabbit.

As saith the Scripture of the natural man in Romans 8:7-8, the carnal mind (the man without the Spirit of God) is enmity against God and can not please God.

God chose to reveal Himself to Paul on the road to Damascus in Acts 9. Paul was not looking for God, but God found him.

As Jesus said in John 15:16, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you."

God, in one fell swoop, broke Paul’s will, opened his eyes to spiritual truth about who He is, and gave him a mission in life. He then sent him to a preacher to teach him his duty before this God who had graciously given him His Spirit.

Now, dear reader, if you love Jesus and the way of truth, you do because God did for you what He did for Paul and every one who believes on Christ.

You did not go looking for God and find Him. Oh, no, He came looking for you and found you in just as hopeless and miserable a case as Paul.

He lifted you up and set your feet on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. That is the pattern God always uses, for none other will work. To God be all the glory!