Just as there are degrees of heros there is also degrees of hero worship and a complex variety of practice. In our day a do-it-yourself system is in place. In past times this lionization of persons was usually an official act of the state or of some state authorized religious institution such as the ancient Roman government with its emperor worship or the practice of sainthood in the Orthodox and Roman churches.

Unfortunately, this twisting of reality has found its way into the modern church and has its roots buried deep in the church's history. Anyone who has grown up in the church knows that they learned in Sunday School that David was a hero, invincible. Gideon was a hero, look what he accomplished. And the list could go on.

Then there is the apostle Paul. Extolled with verbiage so eloquent that one would expect that he walked on water, Paul has been lionized by the church and promoted to a sainthood that places him beyond the foibles of we mere humans. He is referred to as the Great St. Paul, or that Giant of the faith, the apostle Paul, and so forth. This subtle practice of idolatry is insidious and debilitating for it robs and deprives us of the rich example of God's grace and tender mercies that are evidenced in the life of the real Saul of Tarsus.

Paul was a real flesh and blood human being. He had pimples and wart, smelly feet and rank morning breath. His body had its functions like yours and mine. He was a small, stooped, squint-eyed, hook nosed Jewish Rabbi, whom many modern churches wouldn't allow to sweep their floors let alone minister in their pulpits.

If you are observant you probably have noticed from his writings that one thing Paul excelled at was bragging. How he could boast! He tooted his own horn with verbosity. How very human of him. And his boasting was not rhetorical, he meant every word he said. Listen:

. . .circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. Phil 3:5, 6 NIV

Though he counted these things as nothing compared to what was his in Christ, Paul none-the-less had thought enough about this matter that he could brag with the best of them. Nor was this a rhetorical statement. He was all of that and he knew it. This list of Paul's credentials is an invitation to take a peek into his humanity. He invites those who will to look into his soul and have a glimpse of who he is and where he came from and to see that he is very truly a human being. From the Jewish point of view his credentials are impeccable. From Paul's perspective they mean nothing:

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. Phillipians 3:7-9 NIV

But.... If you want to brag....

My favorite claim of Paul's is found in his first letter to Timothy chapter 1 verses 15, 16.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

The Greek word translated here as "worst" is the word protos, which has shades of meaning that also imply that Paul considered himself to be the foremost of sinners. He thought of himself as a first ranked sinner. When the sinners lined up he was at the head of the line. No one had the ability or capacity to sin like Paul had.

Please notice that he puts this claim in the present tense–"I am the worst." Again, this is not rhetorical. He meant it! He did not say, "I was the worst of sinners." He said, "I am the worst."

He didn't claim that he sometimes was the worst. On occasion. No, it's I am.

Some commentators insist that Paul is reflecting upon his past and his persecution of the church. Though, surely, he must have had that in mind, as was pointed out, his claim is not in the past tense, but the present. Years have passed since he persecuted the church, twenty years or more.

This fellow is no saint. What we have here is a very human person, subject to every human foible and liable to make any or all of the mistakes or commit any or all of the sins we humans commit. Paul is insisting that he is no different than anyone else, with the exception that he considers himself to be a better sinner than anyone else.

Because this is true, he continues, because I am such an accomplished sinner, God has called me to serve as an example of what his grace and mercy can do.

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 1 Tim 1:16 NIV

What a fantastic claim! What hope that statement brings to those who struggle in their faith. God chose me, says Paul, to demonstrate to the church and the world that God is not a big ogre in the sky with a large bat, just waiting for us to sin so he can hit us with the bat. He patiently attends our way, loving, nurturing, forgiving, renewing our lives each day.

As well, Paul's life demonstrates to us the ability of Jesus Christ to take anyone, yes anyone, and reveal in them his glory. One need not sit by waiting to reach some supposed level of perfection before they can be effective for God. There is no level of attainment one must reach. There is no degree of spirituality one must lay hold of. Jesus meets us where we are and says follow me. Just look at the fumbling, bumbling disciples he called and you get the picture.

Consider the example of Peter. Prior to the cruxifixtion Peter emphatically affirmed that he would give his life for Jesus. But, unlike Paul, Peter didn't know his heart! He insisted that he would stand with Jesus, come what may. We all know the details of Peter's unfaithfulness. Before the rooster crowed, three times Peter had denied the Lord. Then he knew his heart!

The only true hero in this Christian thing is Jesus! In this world, the best anyone can do is to emulate him. The only genuine heroism is that which Jesus Christ lives out through us sinners that he is saving by his grace.