“But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by His marvelous grace. Then it pleased Him to reveal His Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.“- {Galatians 1:15}

What a wonderful Testimony…of…GOD! Paul begins his testimony with… GOD! GOD’S  SOVEREIGNTY in salvation; Paul in writing to the Galatians who were been duped by some on “works salvation” versus the graciousness of God who saves! So he begins his testimony in this verse to GOD!

“BUT EVEN BEFORE I WAS BORN, GOD CHOSE ME…”

God “CHOSE”- the word means “marked out,” GOD, “MARKED OUT” Paul before he was born. It Was God initiated- freely-independent of anything or anyone outside of Himself.

WHAT COMFORT;

How wonderful. Paul says God “chose” him before he was born! The word means, “to mark off from a boundary or line.” This precious truth is not for lost people but for God’s family, to meditate upon and with humility of heart bow in adoration at how awesome God is. His amazing grace.

You were not an accident, indeed before the foundations of the world, before God spoke the world into existence in the counsel of God Himself, He “marked you,…Called out” not only in birth but in salvation. It was a Divine act of God, that was determined, independent of mankind but determined by God alone, motivated by His love and for His pleasure He “marked you,” out for Himself! What amazing, mind-boggling awe inspiring, high view of God and celebration of Him should be our response!

  • Contemplating God.
  • Celebrating God.
  • Comfort for God’s children should be the response to God marking us out for Himself!

 

GOD DID NOT CHOOSE PAUL BECAUSE – he was such a wonderful Pharisee, but despite it!

We read in 1 Tim 1:13 some of what Paul says he was like, prior to meeting Jesus Christ- “…even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.”

GOD DID NOT REJECT HIM BECAUSE  he had consented heartidly to the murder of Stephen and the persecution of His people, but despite his sin.

He chose him before he was …born! Knowing all about Paul, God “ called out…, marked him out, ” – for Himself, and with His Divine purpose to be a blessing to other people!

I was sharing this with my youngest son one day, of – how wonderful God is!

Knowing all about our sin, shame, He does not leave us there in that state or mindset but writes for our comfort and fuel for our adoration of Him of how despite our failings and sin He set His Love on us before we were …born! And He has not nor will not withdraw His love of commitment to us! This Calvary love! What comfort this is. God does not wait until we are “good” or “performing” well, or is so put out by our sinful shame…God dealt with the sin issue on the Cross! God “marked us out” for Himself, motivated for His pleasure, before we were…born!

A HIGH VIEW OF GOD;

Paul comforts us with a BIG VIEW OF GOD and in doing so puts the legalist in their place, and those who want to take credit for salvation.

The legalist believes he or she can attain salvation by his or her own works.

The legalist believes he or she can maintain the favor of God through their own merits.

The legalist thinks he or she is superior to others.

The legalists is deceived,and promotes their false teaching of self works, self righteousness, to influence the naive and to deceive them if possible!

The Legalist has a low view of God and an inflated view of themselves!

Paul glorifies God through sharing the reality of God saving Him and calling him to serve Him. Salvation is all of God, Paul in this verse declares. Paul puts the spotlight on God! A low view of God is what the legalist has. The Scripture would have us have a HIGH VIEW OF GOD, for who He is and His work of salvation, and celebration of Him who “marked out, called out,” for Himself such pitiful, sinful souls as you and I and cleansed us through the perfect work of the blood of Jesus and not only erased all of our sin once and for all, but bring us into the family of God and the Judge is satisfied and we now know Him as our loving Heavenly Father. What amazing love is His, showered upon us that we, based on nothing within us but purely by His own act of love should “mark us out” be “called out..,” for Himself.” A HIGH VIEW OF GOD is the proper view!

COMFORT FOR THE BELIEVERS HEART;

God “marked out, called out..,” you for Himself before the foundation of the earth! What COMFORT this should produce, God knowing all about what we are and have or not have done, you were loved before you were born! Listen and COMFORT your heart with ASSURANCE from this verse, He- “ Marked YOU out” for Himself… knowing all about you! Think often of God and His marking you, calling you out, from a life of sin, dominated by it and in bondage to it and the evil one…to HIMSELF and liberty in Christ! Let these thoughts lead you to and leave you with God. Celebrating Him. Let these thoughts comfort your heart to rest in Him.

The work of salvation and service began before Paul was in existence independent of Paul’s shame and sin.

 

The Sovereignty of God was not unique to Paul.

  • It is used of Israel- “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” – Deut 7:6
  • It was used of David –“He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens;”- Psalm 78:70
  • It is used if Jeremiah- “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. Jer 1:4-5;
  • It was used of Jesus; “As you come to Him, the living Stone– rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him”- 1 Peter 2:4
  • It was used of the Disciples-“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. – John 15:16
  • It is used of God’s people- “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”- 1 Peter 2:9

This is a glorious truth, a jewel in the crown of the believers spiritual blessings as mentioned in Ephesians 1:3-4; It’s purpose is not to divide people, or for debate, or to deny it, but for fuel for doxology, – to praise, bless, speak well of Him. To Celebrate God!

You were not an accident, indeed before the foundations of the world, before God spoke the world into existence in the counsel of God Himself, He “marked you out” as one of His ‘called out’ not only in birth but in salvation!

It was a Divine act of God, that was determined, independent of mankind but determined by God alone, motivated by His love and for His pleasure He “marked you out” for Himself! What amazing, mind-boggling awe inspiring, high view of God and celebration of Him should be our response!

  • Contemplating God.
  • Celebrating God.
  • Comfort for God’s children should be the response to God “marking us out” for Himself!
  • How Amazing is your God… Bless, Praise, Celebrate Him {Read Ephesians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 1:3…for reasons to Bless God.}

Paul in this passage puts the “spotlight” on God, and says God saved him and commissioned him to share Jesus Christ!

Saved to Share!