Paul writes, in Galatians 1:24, that Christians he’d never met praised God because of him. Paul’s life was such a demonstration of God’s grace that men and women marvelled. This man who once persecuted followers of Jesus was now himself a believer. And what a believer. Paul was willing to suffer beatings and stonings and imprisonment, all for the sake of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. He considered it a privilege. And here’s the thing. Paul’s story should be our story. If people look at us and praise God, it probably means we’re on track. If my wife praises God because her husband is becoming a godly man, it probably means I’m on track. If not, it probably means I have to have a good long look at myself. If my children think to themselves, how good is God that we have a dad who loves the Lord, and therefore loves us the way he does, the same is true. Seven words that mean so much – and they praised God because of me.

Pastor Duncan