This basic knowledge alone wasn’t enough to change his
heart. He needed a powerful catalyst
that would propel him to become a man of humbleness. That event was the Damascus Road in 33
AD. On that remarkable day Paul’s human
strength and wisdom finally failed him.
His entire life spent living for himself and keeping the law as he knew
best, suddenly came to a crashing halt when he came face to face with the
object of his persecution. Rather than
dropping him dead for atrocities against His bride, Christ offered him a path
of redemption: to become a disciple of the true Rabbi, and to carry the salvation
message to the world.
The reason that Paul included humbleness in this passage is
because he viewed himself as one of the greatest recipients of grace, and
seemed to have no other choice but to remain prostrate in the presence of an
eternally merciful Savior. Paul received
a gentle hand instead of a death sentence.
He was suddenly aware of “the appearance of wisdom and self-made
religion” (Colossians 2:23) and finally understood that a heart of “compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” was incredibly valuable,
especially as a beneficiary to such mercy.
I believe Paul displayed his humility through an
overwhelming love for people. It is
doubtful, after living a life promoting his own power, that he would ever consider
himself to be higher than another person in stature or position (Philippians
2:3).
Church leaders today, myself included, should take a healthy
slice of Paul’s humble pie. An old
Indian proverb says, “Don’t cut off someone’s nose, then ask them to smell a
rose”. As Paul discovered, a
knowledgeable mind, embraced by a heart of humility, is a powerful witness to
the Gospel of Christ.
