Empowered by Grace: Finding a Life Rooted in God’s Love

Jun 4

Explore how living under God’s Gospel of Grace transforms lives, as seen in Paul’s journey from persecutor to proclaimer. Discover the power of personal testimony, the rejection of human approval, and the empowerment that comes from embracing God’s grace, based on Galatians 1:11-24.

Paul Called by God
11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.[a] 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born,[b] and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to[c] me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;[d] 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

What does a life lived under God’s Gospel of Grace look like?

Our lives are different when we encounter God in His transcendence. Scripture says we’re transformed from exposure to His glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). When we encounter His Word, a manifest presence transcends the life of a believer.

With that in mind, let’s focus on the Gospel of Grace through the lens of our passage in Galatians. What does a life lived under God’s Gospel of Grace look like?

1) Demonstrates How God Loves to Save Bad People

You can reason that Scripture asserts we’re all fallen and like sheep that’s gone astray, so aren’t we all in need of God’s grace? Absolutely! But the category we’re referencing in the context of our Scripture is speaking through a cultural context. This could refer to someone who is a gang leader, a tyrannical dictator, or a terrorist. People who are culturally considered “bad dudes or dudettes.”

“For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.” Galatians 1:13

This verse demonstrates how the Apostle Paul’s story is one of God’s saving the world. Paul, formerly Saul, persecuted Christians and, in his own words, did so “violently.” These are just a few recorded acts of his opposition to Christianity:

Approved the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 8:1)
Dragged Christians to prison (Acts 8:3).
Cast his vote against Christians (Acts 26:10).
Wanted to eradicate the Church and Christianity (Galatians 1:13).
Referred to himself as a “blasphemer,” “persecutor,” “arrogant man,” and “the worst” of sinners (1 Timothy 1:13-16).

Paul was a violent guy before he met Jesus. This is what a life lived under the Gospel of Grace means. But he was a terrorist who turned into an evangelist. Paul demonstrated how God loves to save those who we consider bad people.

(Read More: How to Meet With Jesus)

2) Gives Testimony to What God Can Do

During my seminary training, several professors taught me I shouldn’t share personal anecdotes while preaching. They’d say, “You shouldn’t talk about your own experience with Jesus; just lift up God’s Word.” The problem with that is the very testimony of Scripture itself! If that was true, the Apostle Paul violated that principle because he shared about his life before coming to know Christ.

“And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.” Galatians 1:13-14

Before Christ, Paul referred to himself as a Hebrew among Hebrews, a Pharisee who exalted all his pedigrees in pursuing Yahweh and boasted of being highly educated. For a man of this accord, it would require something extraordinary to change him.

In his book, The Message of Galatians, John Stott had this to say about Paul’s conversion:

“Now, a man in that mental and emotional state is in no mood to change his mind or even to have it changed for him by men. No conditioned reflex or other psychological device could convert a man in that state. Only God could reach him—and God did!” (p. 32)

Contrast that with what Paul says in verses 15-16: “But when He who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles…”.

People marveled at how a former terrorist was now a proclaimer of the very message he persecuted! What does that tell us? Paul discovered who Jesus is and spent his remaining days helping others discover the same. Paul wasn’t converted for his own benefit; instead, his conversion came with a commission, and so does ours.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (emphasis added)

God revealed Christ to Paul so that God could reveal Christ through Paul. This is no different from our stories! God revealed Christ to you so that God could reveal Christ through you! We’re told in Ephesians that, as believers, we’re to equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12-16).

While many people will check a box that they’re a Christian, we also see that many people don’t know how to share their faith. Many might even believe such a thing is for the SEAL Team Six Christians. However, I want to offer some practical encouragement:

Begin to pray about how to share your testimony. (Don’t be surprised if, during the flow of conversation, you find that God spiritually tees you up for those conversations with people in your life and immediate circles.)
Think of two words to describe your life before Christ, then determine two words after coming to know God. Determining that can help you prepare to share a 15-second testimony.
1. Example: “There was a time in my life when I was empty and unfulfilled, but after I came to know Jesus, I am fulfilled and at peace.” (Fill in your own blanks).
Follow up: “Do you have an experience like that?” That tees up a Gospel conversation.

Paul modeled how a life lived under God’s Gospel of Grace, which shows what God can do. His example gives us a glimpse of how God can reveal Jesus through us.

(Read More: How to Craft a 2-Minute Testimony)

3) No Longer Needs Human Approval

Some of Paul’s critics at Galatia thought that he either made up his message or passed along information secondhand, making him inferior to other apostles. This is why Paul shares the following:

“Then, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas (Peter) and remained with him for fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!).” Galatians 1:18-22

Paul demonstrates that he hasn’t been hanging out with people they’re calling “super-apostles.” He learned the Gospel of Christ directly from the person of Jesus Himself (Acts 9).

“For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:11-12

Humans didn’t invent the Gospel. It comes from God through the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus to the Father’s right hand. This wasn’t a human concoction. If you really think about it, it’s not plausible for human beings to have made up the Gospel. The natural default mode of human beings is works-righteousness. The whole notion of the Gospel of Grace is counterintuitive.

“For am I now seeking the approval of man or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

The Gospel removes a “man-pleasing” spirit and replaces that spirit with its opposite—not needing to win or seek human approval for what you do. The Gospel produces confident, even fearless, followers of Jesus. Paul says he couldn’t be a servant of Christ if he were a people-pleaser.

The Bible talks about the sin of man-pleasing under several different headings and phrases. For example, Proverbs 29:25 says, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare.” When you’re a “people pleaser,” You give some form of human approval the rights and power over your heart that only God should have. Paul sought to please God and not people because he knew God loved him through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

My children grew up playing sports, and I often coached them. Each of my children played a sport, and I knew I loved them the same, even if they struck out, missed a free throw, or the volleyball hit the net. My children knew I loved them regardless of their performance. They knew they never had to score a goal to earn my love because they were already loved.

Their security is not rooted in their performance. Instead, it is rooted in love.

Your security isn’t rooted in how well you perform on the scales of human approval; instead, it’s rooted in God’s love manifested in your heart and life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A life lived under God’s gospel of grace no longer needs human approval.

4) Is An Empowered Life

“But when He who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles.” Galatians 1:15-16b (emphasis added)

Paul acknowledges that he’s doing something beyond his own strength. When you hear a church person say, “I could never go to the mission field,” “I could never work in the inner city,” or “I could never share a Gospel witness,” they’re actually making unintentional orthodox statements! We’re never intended to do any of those things in our own power! Those things are initiated by God’s grace working in the life of a believer.

Author John Bevere defined grace as: “God’s empowerment that gives you the ability to go beyond your natural ability.”

A popular view of grace is that it’s “unmerited favor.” While there is truth in that definition, it limits the power of the biblical picture of grace. It implies that I don’t need to change, grow, or become mature because God loves me just as I am. This type of thinking greatly limits God’s work in us.

Examining Paul’s letters enlarges that definition and brings it into the realm of empowerment available to you as a Christ follower. Paul encouraged Timothy to “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1).” As preacher Charles Capps defined it, grace is “God’s willingness to use His power and ability on our behalf even though we don’t deserve it.” That is a masterful definition!

Grace is more than God’s goodwill toward us. It’s His willingness to do in us and for us that which we could never do on our own. It’s an action, not an attribute. Grace empowers us from within for right living. Grace doesn’t mean how we live no longer matters; instead, grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and live in ways that please God.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” Titus 2:11-14 (emphasis added)

The great grace of God empowers us to live godly and fruitful lives and to join God in His mission on Earth. It’s the gift and beauty of God’s Gospel that in Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven, and we have access to God.

The Book of Galatians takes us into a spirit-empowered life (Galatians 5). The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the gateway to a Galatians 5, spirit-empowered life, which is why Paul starts the book with that clarity. Everything rises and falls on the Gospel. There’s no fruit of the spirit apart from the root of the Gospel. The root of the Gospel working in your life opens the holy Pandora’s Box of knowing God and His empowered life through His grace and glory.

TL;DR

This blog explores the transformative impact of living under God’s Gospel of Grace, focusing on Paul’s dramatic conversion from a persecutor of Christians to a dedicated apostle.
It emphasizes the importance of sharing personal testimonies to illustrate God’s work in our lives.
It also discusses the freedom that comes from not seeking human approval but relying on God’s acceptance.
Finally, it highlights the empowerment believers receive through God’s grace to live a godly and fruitful life.

Related Reading

There Is No Other Gospel by Rev. Paul Lawler

Four Heart Responses to a Holy God by Rev. Paul Lawler

How Does Jesus Pursue Us? by Rev. Paul Lawler