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The Decision that Changes Everything
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.”
Galatians 1:11–14
Salvation is a completely transformative experience. Even those of us who were saved at a young age—before being deeply involved with the sinful habits of others who were saved later in life—are totally changed, because we received a new nature. Paul wrote, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Salvation changes every part of our lives.
There has never been a more fervent enemy of the cause of Christ than the Apostle Paul. He did everything in his power to stamp out the new religion and to harm the followers of Jesus Christ. There were no limits to what Paul would do or where he would go to persecute Christians. When he saw Jesus, Paul was making a trip of more than one hundred miles to Damascus to keep Christianity from spreading there. From that moment on, he dedicated his life to a new cause.
When Paul gave his testimony before King Agrippa he said, “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come” (Acts 26:22). There is nothing more important than following the will and purpose of God—He saved us so that we can walk in His ways.
Galatians 1:11–14
Salvation is a completely transformative experience. Even those of us who were saved at a young age—before being deeply involved with the sinful habits of others who were saved later in life—are totally changed, because we received a new nature. Paul wrote, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Salvation changes every part of our lives.
There has never been a more fervent enemy of the cause of Christ than the Apostle Paul. He did everything in his power to stamp out the new religion and to harm the followers of Jesus Christ. There were no limits to what Paul would do or where he would go to persecute Christians. When he saw Jesus, Paul was making a trip of more than one hundred miles to Damascus to keep Christianity from spreading there. From that moment on, he dedicated his life to a new cause.
When Paul gave his testimony before King Agrippa he said, “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come” (Acts 26:22). There is nothing more important than following the will and purpose of God—He saved us so that we can walk in His ways.
Today’s Growth Principle:
Our lives as God’s children should be spent pursuing His purposes rather than our own.
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