Galatians 1:13-16
13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.
In Galatians, Paul reminds us how he was called by God. He reminds us of his previous life in Judaism. It was not pretty! Yet these qualifications make his calling all the more profound.
In verse 12, it says that he received the gospel by revelation from Jesus Christ.
In verse 13, we are reminded of his previous way of life in Judaism which included: intensely persecuting the church of God, trying to destroy the church of God, advancing in Judaism, making him a leader among his peers, and being extremely zealous for the traditions of his forefathers.
I love how it says in verse 15, despite Paul’s previous way of life…
Let’s dissect this verse…
BUT WHEN GOD,
(yes! It was God who made it possible for Saul (later known as Paul) to have a significant and dramatic revelation with Jesus.)
We can take no credit for the God-sized things in our life. We need to remember that God is doing supernatural things in our lives.
who set me apart
(I think about this word ‘set apart’; it reminds me of
I Peter 1:13-16,
13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a]
Lord, you have set me/us apart for your purposes. You set Saul apart from his mother’s womb. Lord, you are trustworthy and faithful. Lord, you know the beginning and the end. Lord, you have set apart those who you have called you by name and you’ve know who will choose you and who will follow you. You know because you ordained it.)
from my mother’s womb
(before Saul was born, God had already written his story.
Psalm 139 says,
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
Oh Lord, we have no reason to fret or fear. We know that you are sovereign. You are in control. You are the beginning and the end. You, Lord, have proven yourself and you Lord want us to trust you. Lord, for those who you have called are written in the Lamb’s book of life. We can have confidence in our calling, not because of anything we have done, but all because of what you have done in us and for us.
[By Kelly Hudson – Part 1 of a 3-part Devotion]