Admitting Imperfections and Turning Them for Love

Paul believed that God saved him the way he did and when he did so that people who despaired that they were too sinful to be saved might have hope. God showed mercy to “the foremost” sinner—“a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.” And Paul makes explicit why God saved him when he was so far gone: to “display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe.” He saved Paul this way for you. And for me. If God is not patient with us, we are hopeless. But Paul’s vulnerability here is for our hope, as we imperfectly pursue holiness.

Paul believed that God saved him the way he did and when he did so that people who despaired that they were too sinful to be saved might have hope. God showed mercy to “the foremost” sinner—“a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.” And Paul makes explicit why God saved him when he was so far gone: to “display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe.” He saved Paul this way for you. And for me. If God is not patient with us, we are hopeless. But Paul’s vulnerability here is for our hope, as we imperfectly pursue holiness.

That a man with Paul’s authority and with his exalted role in the church—commissioned by the risen Christ himself— should be this vulnerable with his own imperfections is utterly astonishing. And not only is he open about his imperfections, but he actually turns them for the comfort and encouragement of others. This is not the way of a deluded or a deceptive man. It has the mark of deep, humble inner security and mental health. It is the kind of character I love—and trust.