Are You Worthy? - Paul

I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me.

1 Corinthians 15:9-10

This country has only one medical national honor society: Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, founded in 1901. It is sometimes called the “Phi Beta Kappa” of medical societies. Its mission is to recognize and enhance outstanding professionalism and leadership in the medical field and academic excellence and service within medical schools. Its name is derived from the initials of a Greek motto: “Worthy to serve the suffering.”

The Bible includes several examples of men who, humanly speaking, didn’t seem worthy to serve God. In his grace and mercy, God nonetheless called them, enabled them to serve, and declared them worthy.

Such was the case with the apostle Paul.

In his many epistles, Paul often referred to his own checkered past, which included violent persecution of those he would later call his brothers and sisters (see 1 Timothy 1:13). Paul acknowledged that it was only “because God poured out his special favor” on him that he was fit to serve the Kingdom of God by preaching in the name of Jesus Christ.

Why did God make Paul worthy to serve? It wasn’t because of the man’s talent or background or because he felt sorry for him. It was due entirely to God’s grace, generosity, and goodness. The Lord took a man that believers did their best to avoid and transformed him into the world’s best-known ambassador for Jesus Christ.

Do you consider yourself worthy to serve?

Your worthiness to serve God doesn’t come from any special talents, abilities, or credentials you have. God made you worthy to serve him when he gave you his Holy Spirit as your source of love and power.