And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (I Corinthians 15:8-10
I. Grace Changed Me — “By the grace of God I am what I am”:
The grace by which Paul was born again (“born out of due time”) changed him from “a persecutor of the church of God” to an Apostle whom God would use to take four successful missionary journeys and to write thirteen books of the Bible.
Paul was changed at salvation by grace, and this same grace continued to shape him throughout the rest of his life — “and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain”.
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (Galatians 2:21)
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)
II. Grace Moved Me – “I labored more abundantly than they all…”
God’s grace gave the Apostle a calling, a field in which to labour. God’s grace gave, together with the calling, both the desire and the power to labour in that calling. Grace living led Paul “abundantly” above the scope of the law’s demands and moved him into a specific labour and service for the Lord.
III. Grace Did Something Through Me – “Yet not I but the grace of God”
Paul was a just a vessel of grace. Paul was not performing the work, but God was working through Paul. Paul yielded to God’s grace, and Christ Himself was able to bless other people through his life. Paul was a conduit, a channel of God’s blessing and grace to other people.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (II Corinthians 4:7)
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (Galatians 2:20-21)