One of my favorite passages is Paul’s self-disclosure about his own unworthiness to be in ministry. He acknowledged before the world that there was no one less fit to be in ministry, yet that’s exactly where God put him.


John the Baptist felt the same way. In Matthew 3 he declares himself unworthy even to carry Jesus’ sandals (let alone baptize Him). Both John and Paul express nothing new. The God-ward perspective of the heart is obvious in the lives of all God’s people. Abel had it. Job did. So did the patriarchs, Moses, Joshua, David. The prophets and Apostles… Athanasius, Augustine, the Reformers, Lottie Moon, D.L. Moody, Charles Spurgeon, Amy Carmichael… Throughout time there have been men and women too humble to accept such recognition yet acknowledging their unworthiness apart from Christ.


God saved Paul and used him mightily. Paul, in turn, reflects it back to God in worship (v. 17). May you and I also live in humble service to our King. And may Jesus, the Friend of Sinners, receive all the glory.