Paul the Apostle

Have you ever given much thought to the man Paul? We read his letters to the church which contains all truth. I want to take a little time to look at his life.

Paul begins almost every epistle with this statement “Paul an apostle called by God.” Paul’s apostleship was a calling. He did not attend the University of Apostles. He was taught by revelation of our Lord. (Galatians 1:12) This is what caused Paul to run for Jesus!

However, Paul was not always on fire for the Gospel. When we first meet Paul, we find him known as Saul of Tarsus. He was consenting to the death of Stephen. We find him making havoc of the church. We find him going into homes and dragging believers to prison. (Acts 8:1-3) Saul hated this movement called The Way. Saul knew the word of God. He could probably quote it backward and forward. He could write commentary about it. Saul had a zeal for God but he did not know God.

There are many today who know the word of God, But not the God of the word. They write books, give lectures, and hold seminars. They know the letter of the law but not the Spirit.

So, what happened to this general of the devil’s army? He was on his way to Damascus to wreak havoc on the church that was there. Then is when Jesus stepped into the path of his life! Jesus knocked Saul off his horse and there revealed Himself to Saul. He told Saul that he was persecuting Him and not the church. (Acts 9:4)

You see, when we make fun of the church, or mock the church, and put down the church we are doing it against Jesus. The church is His building. The church is His bride.

We know it was this event that changed Saul into Paul. This is what caused him to become the great defender of the faith. He endured beatings, stoning, shipwrecks, all for the Gospel of Jesus Christ! He went everywhere telling everyone about this Jesus he met on the Damascus road!

Let me ask you, have you had a then is when experience in your life? Can you remember the time when Jesus revealed Himself to you? You were like Saul, going in the wrong direction and doing the wrong things. Maybe you thought you were a pretty good person and so, everything was okay.
Then you met the Master and knew the truth.

Perhaps you don’t have a then is when in your life. You can today! Jesus is just a cry or a sigh away. You know your life is not right. You know you are missing something. That something is a relationship with Jesus. I want to encourage you to think on these things today. There is really no set way in which you might be saved. There is no certain prayer to recite. You must come by faith. If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. (Romans 10:9) If you do this, I want you to tell someone. When we confess Him before men, He will confess us before the Father. May God bless you by revealing Himself to you.