Transformation from God
Friday, May 5
Transformation from God
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man … the grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:13-14
When we think about those in the Bible who were transformed by God, I don’t think that there is a more powerful example of transformation than the example of Saul. This is the power of God, for only He could touch a life so dramatically that the main antagonist of the Christian faith becomes the agonist. Much of what is ultimately done (spreading of the Gospel) throughout the New Testament is through this key player. Imagine, Saul, the ‘Persecutor of the Christian faith’, in a very short time, is transformed into the ‘Proclaimer’. Not only that, he becomes the Apostle to the Gentiles and proceeds to preach the Gospel in many nations. His influence continues to touch our lives today as we flick through the pages of Scripture, and read the life-changing words that he penned, as he was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
When Saul encountered the risen Christ on the way to Damascus (Acts 9), his life was never the same again. His transformation was so deep that, within days, he began to preach, in the synagogue, that Jesus was the Son of God. Talk about transformation.
Saul, who later would be known as Paul, would continue to cross paths with the other Apostles for years to come. But the fruit from his ministry was a powerful testimony that God had wonderfully transformed his life. I believe, with all my heart, that the gospel of Jesus Christ is transformational. This was with Saul and it is the same for you and me today. No person is too evil to be beyond salvation, and no life too broken that it can’t be healed.
Prayer for today: Father God, I echo the words of the Apostle Paul when he proclaimed that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe. Amen.