Happy Friday Saints.
The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 1:22-24, “I WAS PERSONALLY UNKNOWN TO THE CHURCHES OF JUDEA THAT ARE IN CHRIST. THEY ONLY HEARD THE REPORT: ‘THE MAN WHO FORMERLY PERSECUTED US IS NOW PREACHING THE FAITH HE ONCE TRIED TO DESTROY.’ AND THEY PRAISED GOD BECAUSE OF ME.”
The Christian churches in Judea didn’t recognise Paul by face. They did, however, know him by reputation. They’d heard that the MAN WHO FORMERLY PERSECUTED Christians was NOW PREACHING THE FAITH HE ONCE TRIED TO DESTROY.
Paul, a former Judaeiser and Pharisee, once persecuted those who believed and preached the Gospel of Christ. He tried to DESTROY their FAITH in the saving grace of God. The idea of a Messiah giving His life for humanity by dying a humiliating death on a cross was offensive to Paul. That was until Jesus got a hold of Him and helped Him see the truth.
How did you treat Christians before you believed in Jesus? Were you kind to your friends and family who believed that salvation was a free gift for all who believed in Christ’s atoning death? What did you think of the Gospel when you first heard it? If you didn’t grow up in a Christian home, you probably mocked those who put their faith in God.
And now that you’re in Christ, you are praising the same God of the people you once ridiculed. Hopefully, your conversion will have the same impact as Paul’s, and cause other believers to PRAISE GOD because of you.
Aren’t you glad that God opened your eyes to the truth? That He helped you recognise that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life – and that He’s the only way to the Father?
Your FORMER conduct doesn’t matter. God has forgiven you, and now you have the privilege of giving the Good News of the Gospel to others. Share God’s love and be blessed.
Have a great weekend. Lots’a love,
Warren
