Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Fight the Good Fight

"As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:3-4).

We all know the story of Paul. He was literally transformed by that particular experience, and is responsible for writing most of the New Testament. He was a CHANGED man after his "Road to Damascus" moment. God decided he wanted Paul, and He went and got him!

In the Word, it says that when a shepherd has 100 sheep, and one gets lost, he leaves the others to go and find that lost sheep. It's what Christ does for us, and we see it here, where He does the same for Paul. (See Matthew 18:12).

Jesus saved this lost sheep, a Pharisee of the highest order, one who hated the Christians, tortured them and carried out all manner of violence against them. They were boiled in oil, eaten by lions in the coliseum to a cheering crowd, etc., etc. These events were carried out on his orders and Jesus went and "found him?" But who else could've been more credible than Paul, a man known for his evil attempts to wipe out the Christians?  

At the end of his life, just before he was killed for preaching the Good News, Paul said, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store 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 longed (or 'loved'), for His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Being a Christian takes commitment. It takes the commitment of a prize fighter in training, only instead of physical training, we need to do some mental and biblical training in order to reach the lost for Christ.

Paul is a great example of someone who was changed immediately and forever by Jesus. There's one thing I know for sure. I'll never be the same again for "I am a new creation in Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:17).

We all are!

God Bless you all! Have a terrific week!

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