THE FOURTEENTH APOSTLE, Paul, had no delusions about his own righteousness (cf. Rom. 7:15-25). At one particularly low point we find him spiritually naked, completely vulnerable and past any denial of his motivations or accomplishments. (cf. 1 Tim. 1:13) He says, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Tim. 1:15) This is not a pity party, woe-is-me moment; instead, it is steely-eyed look past the inconsistencies of self to what Paul says next: “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 1:14)
And he adds, so that you and I will not miss it as we contemplate our own relationship with Jesus as we stumble faithfully forward on through the narrow gate trying to straighten out our paths (cf. Matt. 7:13,) “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.” (1 Tim. 1:16) Paul had his come-to-Jesus moment on the Damascus Road (cf. Acts 9:1-19) There are times for all of us when it’s good to remember such a moment.
Many a sinner has sat voluntarily on the sinner’s bench at the front row and never received what they heard. That bench, also known as the ‘anxious’ or ‘nervous’ bench, was an invention of Charles Finney, a nineteenth-century widely and wildly popular evangelical preacher from New York. He also invented the altar call, which evangelicals have used as a spiritual and emotional come-to-Jesus public expression of salvation through repentance and rebirth. And, many responded, and many were saved. But how many? If actions are the determinant of words, then the ample fall-out statistics both then and now bear witness that emotional responses to emotional pleas to ‘get saved’ are not an accurate indication of the reliability of such a public acknowledgment. So, what is?
In biblical truth, actions are the evidence of the standard. Jesus said, “I am the true vine. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:1-4) The bearing of fruit is clearly united with remaining in Jesus; so also, James: “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:14-17)
There are three times that Paul gives clear and specific testimony of his conversion. There are many other times when he speaks of it in more oblique ways. But here we get a glimpse not only of his gratitude, but a deep look into the soul of a man, and see clearly a turning point that changed his life. This is evidenced in the body of his written work, and what Luke wrote about him, over a long period of time. We see him as a young firebrand in the Book of Acts, and as a patient and wise elderly man approaching death in 2 Timothy. We follow his maturation as a Christian throughout. For Paul, the core of the concept that faith produces works as an observable testimony comes as he says, “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” (1 Tim. 1:16)
This is Paul speaking his deepest personal truth, and he is emotional about it, as he should be—salvation is indeed a personal and deeply emotional experience. But the emotion that Paul expresses is not one of wild exuberance; it is, instead, a calm and deep gratitude. His soul has become settled and centered. He is whole in Christ. And his faith is indeed publicly observable and demonstrably authentic.
If evangelists are, in that ‘nervous time,’ to describe salvation satisfactorily to the heart of the seeker in a come-to-Jesus moment, it should become a landmark for that person in the realm of the kingdom of heaven. In our time-starved modern lifestyles, to also have the ability to encourage people in this over a substantial period of time might see far fewer anxious sinners, and far more authentic Christians.
There is something else here for us to consider carefully. Paul tells us that, “The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things.” (1 Cor. 2:15) All-too-often we hold back from using proper discernment in these matters. Paul means that we are not to condemn, and so elsewhere he says, “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.” (1 Cor. 4:5)
But he does not mean that we should not exercise good judgment. There are times when a person not formed solidly in their faith needs a rebuke. This is true for all of us. James reminds us, in this same context, “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)
Paul’s own story is a good guide as we develop our own history and outcomes as servants to Jesus. For one who would follow in his own footsteps, Paul says, this perhaps first, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Cor. 10:12) He adds a delicate concern for others: “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” (1 Cor. 10:24) He further says that we need to treat others well for Christ’s sake. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32) His best advice may be to emulate him in this way: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” (1 Cor. 9:22)
Q. Are my actions a valid testimony of a life lived for Christ?
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