It was not I but God who was working through me by his grace
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Paul did not follow Jesus like the other twelve apostles while he was in the world. He even persecuted church before Jesus appeared to him. Because of this, some people questioned his position and challenged his authority as an apostle.
Paul did not judge himself based on how other people thought of him. Even though he once thought himself not worthy, but it was the God who poured his special favor on him. He worked harder than any other apostles, not to prove himself, but it was God's grace work through him. The criticism did not compromise Paul's faithful heart and relationship with the God.
Some people also compared him with other apostles , drew a line between them and questioned his position. But Paul never followed their thought of line, never regarding himself either inferior or superior to his fellow apostles. Instead, at the bottom of his heart, it made no difference whether he preach or others people preach, for they all preach the same message of the Lord.
In Paul's heart , it was always the same,"It was not I but God who was working through me in his grace."
Bible verses,
Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. 1 Corinthians 15:8-9 NLT
But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. 1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT
So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed. 1 Corinthians 15:11 NLT
