Saul becomes Paul, Lies become Truth – Word of Encouragement

Philippians 3:10-11 KJV 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Paul did not always see Jesus as someone worthy to be known. Paul came from a background filled with honorary heritage. He followed the law and trusted in his own righteousness. Also, he had great accomplishments under his belt at a young age (Galatians 1:14, Philippians 3:7-9). So he knew and understood who Jesus claimed to be. He considered Jesus claims to be heresy. This caused him to hunt and kill believers (Acts 9:1-2).

But that all changed when he had a face to face with Christ. The facts, or external, of this encounter can be found in Acts 9. What we find in Philippians 3 is what happened on the inside of Paul.

This gives us a foundation of true conversion. All that Paul was proud of, took the glory for, boasted about, loved about himself; was exchanged that day for all Jesus did for him. When his eyes were opened to the truth, nothing compared to it. He let go of the world and grabbed hold of Christ.

This is the power of the gospel of God. It is a supernatural power that works in our souls.

We each have our own unique testimony and yet leads to the same place, faith in Christ and a heart filled with desire to know Him.

Why am I saying this? We are living in an environment of increasing hostility toward anything godly. The secular culture is marching toward zero tolerance of the true gospel. Unfortunately this includes those who profess to be “Christians.”

I encourage you to remember the violent hostility Paul (Saul) had toward believers. After his conversion the hostility turned on him.

Salvation is not about moving from good to better. It is the eternal choice between heaven or hell.

When Christ came to me I was so compelled into His love and grace, I, myself, determined to know Jesus personally. Who He is through personal experience lining up with holy scripture. It is not enough to know about Him or to know Him intellectually. I knew the stories but I did not know the Person.

John 17:3 KJV And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent

An exchanged happened that day in my living room. I exchanged the dead sinful me with all the lies for life and the truth. I still today have one desire, to know the One in whom I believe, to dwell in the house of the LORD forever (Psalm 27).

Many are living in deception of a false salvation just like Paul. Do not grow weary or lose hope. When despair comes, ask yourself, is God worthy of my trusting Him with my life?

Time is very short. Eyes up, our Redeemer is coming.

Revelation 4:8-11 KJV 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.