"I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."
Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus are well known for what they have to say about qualifications for spiritual office. There are entire lists detailing the type of person who might serve as an elder or a deacon. But here Paul sums up his qualifications with one word—faithful. God judged Paul to be faithful. But the basis of that judgment cannot be Paul's unblemished life of exemplary Christian service. Before the grace of God overflowed in faith in Paul's life, Paul was a passionate and deadly opponent of the gospel.
Perhaps God simply knew the type of man He would make Paul into. Regardless, God wants all His children to faithfully walk with Him. And it is in His strength that we can do this.
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