SCRIPTURE: Galatians (NIV) 1:22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
OBSERVATION: Paul was writing to the church in Galatia and giving some of his own testimony. What a change Jesus had brought in Paul’s life! It was a dramatic change, one that could be easily seen by people around him. Once they feared Paul as he set about persecuting the church; now they praised God because of him.
From an avid supporter and defender of the Jewish law, one whose life was dedicated to keeping the Law pure, Saul/Paul was changed into one able to present the truth of Jesus from the Old Testament scriptures; into one who could not be stopped by beatings and whippings; into one willing to be in prison to defend Jesus; to one willing to give his own life because of what He believed to be truth!!! What a change!
Down through the ages, the change in Saul’s/Paul’s life been a key in bringing people to Jesus. Like those in Galatia who had only heard about the change, since then people have only read about the change. Paul’s testimony has been powerfully used by the Holy Spirit to bring change to others.
APPLICATION: May people today see the difference in our lives from what we used to be and the difference from those who have not yet had the great blessing of making Jesus the Lord of their lives. What a change He has made in our lives. It is a change that cannot be hidden.
PRAYER: Lord, you made a great change in Paul’s life (who was later known as the Apostle Paul.) Now that you are living in me, I know you are still making changes in my life. Use the changes to demonstrate the great benefit that comes with your Presence in a life. Amen
Pastor Leon
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