Leaving Those Accolades Behind: Gal 1:13-14

“For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.”
— Galatians 1:13–14

Not Accolades, But Christ

Paul was someone who was really zealous about Judaism. He was so zealous in it that he did things which would stun our conscience. However, when the truth of the Word touched Paul, it shattered his ambitions, expectations, and accolades of a former life.

You have to understand, Paul’s family would have had high hopes. He was not from an ordinary family, but rather a very revered one. After all, they were Roman citizens, which was a big deal back in the day. He also learnt under Gamaliel. His parents could envision for his son a career as a distinguished rabbi, ending up as a member of the Sanhedrin and even as the high priest of his people. He had the brains, industry, courage, charm, and drive to take him to the top.

Yet when Paul encountered Christ, he saw that all his previous gains and accolades were nothing compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus. In Philippians 3:8, he boldly declares, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

What about your family, power, prestige, Paul? Paul would say, “I count it all worth nothing, compared to the the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Oh! I hope many leaders today would get this.

Example: “Does he know who I am?”

I used to be one of the leaders of a church, and there was a time when my senior Pastor and I had to confront a member of the church, as he was revolting against the leadership. This member left the church because he felt insulted that a young leadership had confronted him. He later sent his friends who said “Did you know that this man of God planted so many churches in XYZ place? How could you do that?”. I was like “So?”. His logic was that because he had planted so many churches, he was above the leadership, and he could basically go on sinning and trying to revolt against the church, and do anything he wanted, and we were unqualified “young” leadership. Obviously, Paul didn’t get that memo.

This was not a calculated, gradual shift; it was a decisive break—a complete reordering of life priorities. Paul chose to leave behind a life of prestige and security to embrace a radical calling: preaching the gospel among the Gentiles.

Not Traditions But Christ

Paul soon made it a point to learn the Word of God. He wasn’t about ancestral traditions. This radical re-prioritization invites us to reflect on our own lives. Consider how many of us invest significant time researching the minutiae of our political parties or scouring every detail of tax rules when the refund season comes around. If we’re diligent enough to verify every detail about our tax refunds—questioning, cross-checking, and ensuring every deduction is in order—why would we not apply that same intensity to something as life-altering as the knowledge of Christ?

Look into the life of Paul. Paul wasn’t all about the approval of his fellow-men, but about the truth. Many are afraid to look into the scriptures and read for themselves what they see. Do you know that many at times, when we don’t understand what’s written, it is because what you read is going against your preconceived notions, and teachings handed down to you?

I have heard time and again, that the deeper the leader is in ministry, or the older the leader is, they will not change their views. It is so true. The child-like I want to learn attitude is lost. I also have seem people who are comfortable in their church positions, won’t even care to look into what is the truth, because that is not what their denomination teaches.

Example: The Divine healing teaching

Let’s take healing for example, there are examples everyday around us to prove that God heals through people by faith and authority. Are you one of those people who read it, and say, wow, it is a totally outlandish thing, never check the scriptures for yourself and go back to your old ways? Paul could have done that. He could have stayed comfortable where he was ministering to the Jews, but he followed Christ.

Are you following your mission or Christ? You may have preached to a thousand people in your congregation against healing, and probably said that God could make us sick like Job, and whatever it is, but can’t you check if this healing thing that is being preached is the truth? Can’t you check if the infant-baptism is the truth? Would it not bless your congregation? Have you built walls around you so that you will only hear the preachers that are set by our denominational leader? However, Paul took a stand. 

Not comfort, but Christ

Look at Paul’s life. Here was a man who had every reason to stay comfortable among the Jewish elite—a man whose resume read like a bestseller among his peers. Yet when he truly encountered the gospel, he discarded all his former achievements as nothing more than trash compared to the eternal riches found in Christ. Imagine if we approached our faith with that same boldness. Imagine if we weren’t so quick to dismiss the possibility that our long-held views—whether on baptism, healing, or any other doctrine—might be incomplete or even misguided.

We live in an era where it is often easier to follow the well-trodden paths of our cultural and political affiliations than to challenge them with the search for truth found in Scripture. Yet Paul’s example challenges us: Are we following our mission, or are we simply clinging to comfortable traditions? Paul’s radical transformation wasn’t a gradual compromise; it was an outright abandonment of everything prestigious in order to gain Christ—a truth so profound that it demands our entire being.

Conclusion

As you reflect on your own walk of faith, ask yourself: Am I willing to re-evaluate every facet of my life with the same zeal that Paul did? If you’d actively research every detail of a tax refund to ensure you’re not missing out on what’s rightfully yours, shouldn’t you pursue the knowledge of Christ with even greater determination? After all, the knowledge of Christ is not merely another line on a resume—it is the treasure that redefines everything.

Let Paul’s example inspire you to leave behind the things that, in the light of eternity, are mere rubbish. In the pursuit of Christ, may you never settle for comfortable traditions but always press on to discover the full, life-changing truth of the gospel.