CP 301 A dozen or so of Paul's outrageous conclusions

(A dozen or so of) Paul’s outrageous conclusions This selection of verses from Paul’s letters to various churches might just help you appreciate how remarkable it is that the Lord God Almighty opened your eyes and heart to the Good News revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. It might even lead you into a deeper repentance, along with praise and thanksgiving. What a gift is Holy Spirit-given faith and trust in Christ Jesus, our Saviour and Lord. May his name flow from your lips with joy! Fred the Rev, October 2026 • Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us - for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.’ Galatians 3:10-13 Outrageous because: Can you even begin to imagine what a good and righteous Pharisee might make of this statement? The Messiah became a curse? • For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 RSV Outrageous because: Not that he bore our sin, although that is true. No, the innocent Messiah actually embodied all sin... He became it! • Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his seed; it does not say, ‘And to seeds’, meaning many people, but ‘’and to your seed’, meaning one person, who is Christ. Galatians 3:16 Outrageous because: Every Jew knew that Abraham’s ‘seed’ was Jacob through Isaac! • For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. 2 Corinthians 1:20 Outrageous because: The entire OT finds full expression in this One? • My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Outrageous because: This One, and this One alone, fulfils the remarkable promise of Isaiah 33:6? The mind can hardly comprehend this. • God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5 Outrageous because: Paul wrote, ‘Have been saved!’ Done and dusted! Not will be, might be, could be, or should be. And all done for us. By the grace of Christ’s sinless life and freely offered death, the Father can, and has, brought us home! • For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 RSV Outrageous because: We become the righteousness? Impossible? True in Christ. Compare Deuteronomy 6:25 • There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 Outrageous because: We’ve become the righteousness... we are beyond the accusations, judgements and condemnations of the Law? Truly? The reality of grace! • (All the best of my heritage I cherished as an Israelite) I consider loss for the sake of Christ... I consider them rubbish (‘skubala’ Greek, is excrement!) that I may gain Christ... Philippians 3:8 Outrageous because: Excrement? All of that heritage is excrement? Yes, in so far as it was utterly useless in attaining the righteousness which can only be found in Christ. • And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus... Ephesians 2:6 Outrageous because: Not only beyond condemnation. Right now? At the Father’s right hand? Above the angels? Unbelievable, except that it’s clear written in the scripture. Three of Paul’s scathing self-assessments • I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh... Romans 7:18 Outrageous because: Without Christ he is nothing and has nothing that might count towards righteousness. Without Christ he is bankrupt. And you? And me? • Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15 Outrageous because: Devoid of any conviction of his own personal worthiness. Humbling. • After Jesus the Messiah was raised from death... last of all, he appeared to me also, as one untimely born. Outrageous because: The Greek word for ‘untimely-born’ is ektromati, which is a naturally aborted or miscarried foetus! In other words, God couldn’t have picked a more unlikely person... dead, beyond use. One aggravated statement concerning those who undermined his ministry by insisting that circumcision was still required by Christians • As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! Galatians 5:12 Outrageous because: Needs no explanation...