I noticed something obvious in Paul’s testimony as recorded in Philippians 3. When we teach people to write their “testimony,” the story of how they met Jesus, we often use Paul’s example from Acts 26 where he has a “before,” a “how,” and an “after.” Here in Philippians 3, he omits the “how” story of the road to Damascus experience (Acts 9) and just has “before” (verses 5 and 6) and “after” (verse 7…)

5 I was born a true Hebrew of the heritage of Israel as the son of a Jewish man from the tribe of Benjamin. I was circumcised eight days after my birth and was raised in the strict tradition of Orthodox Judaism, living a separated and devout life as a Pharisee. 6 And concerning the righteousness of the Torah, no one surpassed me; I was without a peer. Furthermore, as a fiery defender of the truth, I persecuted the messianic believers with religious zeal. 7 Yet all of the accomplishments that I once took credit for, I’ve now forsaken them and I regard it all as nothing compared to the delight of experiencing Jesus Christ as my Lord! (Philippians 3:5-7, Passion Translation)

Here’s what I noticed: when I am tempted to be “a fiery defender of the truth,” someone who puts others down for their theology or their practice or whatever, I need to remember that persecuting people “with religious zeal” is part of Paul’s “before”!

For the law was given through Moses; grace AND truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1.17, ESV, emphasis mine)

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. (Ephesians 4.15, ESV)