A Superior Truth

This morning I find myself back in Paul's first letter to Timothy, reflecting on Paul's short autobiographical description of his state prior to his conversion.  I am just encouraged by his complete reversal of thought and action as a result of his new revelation as described in Acts 9:1-31.  Here are his brief words describing his state - 1 Timothy 1:12-17 NIV:

[12] "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. [13] Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. [14] The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." 

[15] "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst. [16] But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. [17] Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Now Paul was a highly educated man, having studied the Jewish faith and law all of his life, studied under a famous teacher (See acts 22:1-22) and one who was zealous for what he believed was the truth.  He was fully convinced of the truth of his beliefs, and saw everything from that perspective.  We could say that his grid of understanding was firmly settled.  He had been taught the law, which by this point had been known and taught for hundreds of years, it was well established, and had a solid backing.  He wasn't pushing some new ideas, just zealous for all he had been taught, and believed it was the truth, and it was something he was willing to fight over, and kill over.  He was a man of great belief, and held firmly to his principles.

On the other hand, in retrospect, he described himself as being ignorant and in unbelief.  No one else would have described him that way.  What happened is that He encountered the living Christ, and one could say was given a superior truth.  I am reminded of a verses from John's gospel where Jesus described Himself - John 14:6-7 NIV:

[6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [7] If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

In two very short verses, I think Jesus sums up the basics of what Paul experienced.  He encountered Jesus as the Truth, and went on to fully experience and know Him.  It is interesting that Paul (still Saul at this point) was persecuting "The Way" as the early Christian's called themselves, or their faith, and Jesus took that very personally. Here is the description of that event - Acts 9:3-5 NIV:

[3] As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. [4] He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 

[5] “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. 

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied."

In this interaction, and in the events that followed, Saul was convinced of the superior truth of Jesus as the very Son of God, and the Gospel of Grace and become the great defender of this greater Truth.  His ignorance and unbelief was confronted and changed.  Saul's  former way of thinking was laid aside and it was replaced by that which he witnessed and experienced as Truth. He effectively became a new creation, and took a new name of Paul.  

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"  

We find the name change alluded to in Acts 13, where he starts the chapter referred to as Saul, but ends the chapter referred to as Paul.  Saul is Jewish name which means "Desired", while Paul is a Greek name that means "small or little".  While we don't know exactly why the name change occurred, I think it reflects, in part, Paul's new perspective of himself as compared to Christ Jesus, who he met personally on the road to Damascus.  Whatever the case, Paul was completely changed by that encounter, and dedicated his life to preaching the good news, and glorifying Jesus.

This morning I am greatly encouraged that Jesus is quite capable of convincing even the most well educated and zealous individuals of His identity as the way, the truth and the life.  I pray for all those I know who have seen the church, or Christians who have poorly represented Christ Jesus and concluded that He is not worthy of their time or lives.  I pray that we all might encounter Jesus as He truly is, the "King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God!"

Amen and Amen!