Apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Corinth ascertains facts about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, stating how Christ appeared to Cephas and then to the twelve disciples, and to five hundred others, then to James and all of the apostles and last of all to Paul himself, who considers himself to be the least of the apostles. (1 Corinthians 15:1-9)
This man who considered himself to be the least of the apostle expresses something immediately thereafter, which at the onset may seem to be more boastful than humble, when he says that he labored more abundantly relative to the all the other disciples and apostles (1 Corinthians 15:9), but closer inspection reveals that Paul’s claim of his abundant labor was not out of pride but because of the grace that had been bestowed on him (1 Corinthians 15:9).
Paul, a murderer who was ordering to put to death the lives of those who followed the life giver (Acts 8:1-3), was himself given life (Christ in him – Galatians 2:20) because of the grace of the Resurrected One; the Lord Jesus Christ; the life giver. Jesus said, that He came so that His people (sheep that follow Him) shall have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
The secret to Paul’s ability and affirmation of laboring abundantly is because he was given life more abundantly.
Point(s) to ponder:
- Have you accepted Jesus Christ, the life giver? In other words, have you gotten life, abundant life? Got Jesus = Got Life!
- If you/I have been given eternal and abundant life, are you/I laboring more abundantly for Him as well?
1 Corinthians 15:3-10 (KJV)
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10 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.
Mano Paul
Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.