Dramatic Change Acts chapter 8 begins with a grim reminder of the past life of an arrogant persecutor of the church: “And Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death...” (v. 1). Such is our introduc¬tion in Scripture of a great gospel preacher. He was there when Stephen was stoned to death and was in “hearty agreement” with the killing of a Christian advocate... a preacher of the gospel. Now compare this man’s own statement, year’s later when he knows he is about to die: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7,8). What a dramatic change. Here was a man who opposed gospel preachers, and with “hearty agreement” wanted them dead... then he becomes one and is, himself, willing to die in order to promote the gospel message. What brought about such a dramatic change was the truth of what God did for Paul through His Son, Christ Jesus. Paul also notes that in his own story, “Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eter¬nal life” (1 Tim. 1:16). The Lord truly exercised patience with Paul, enduring all the trouble he delivered to the church in its early days. But now Paul is an example to all of us of how Christ can change our lives, when we give ourselves totally to Him. The Lord is patient with all of us and is willing to forgive even the “chief of sinners,” but one day, the Lord’s patience will run out... Guy Orbison, Jr. Durango, CO
Posted on: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 09:10:27 +0000
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