Real Change

“At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.”Acts 9:20

This verse was referring to the Apostle Paul. We are first introduced to Paul (then Saul) in the previous chapter during the stoning of Stephen, one of the leaders of the early church. By Paul’s own admissions gleaned from his writings, he was a well educated, well spoken, intelligent, haughty young man of good breeding and he hated all things Christ.

He approved of the killings and persecution of the followers of Christ and actively participated in locating them and bringing them to the Jewish authorities to face their doom. At the time he thought he was doing the will of God, protecting His name and Judaism against attacks from a blasphemous group of fanatics belonging to the Way a.k.a, Christians.

On his way to Damascus, armed with letters authorizing him to arrest more of Christ’s followers and bring them to Jerusalem, Paul had an encounter of epic proportions. Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him, he fell and heard a voice, “…Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.” Acts 9:4‭-‬5.

Jesus directed him to go into a particular house in the city. When he arose from the ground, Paul was blind. Jesus then sent a disciple called Ananias to go pray for Paul for his sight to be restored and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Right after this Paul, who was breathing murderous threats against the disciples became one of them and started preaching that Jesus is indeed the son of God. The change was dramatic, radical, palpable, miraculous and totally unbelievable. Paul had changed for real and he never turned back till his death.

Maybe your encounter with Jesus was not one for the books and not as dramatic as Paul’s but however you came to Christ, one thing is certain: Jesus transforms lives. His love changes us and we cannot remain the same after we have tasted of a love so amazing.

I want you to do a brief or detailed examination of your life as see if you have experienced real change since you came to Christ. Have you given up the old habits? Have you lost interest in the people and places and things that used to occupy your old self? Have your tastes and appetites changed? Are you looking more like Christ each day? We cannot say we are for Christ and still live like the old man. The change must be real and obvious to all.

Blessings.

Love, Lady Monica ❤