Changed by His Power

Changed by His Power

By Apostle Felix

17  This gospel unveils a continual revelation of God’s righteousness—a perfect righteousness given to us when we believe. And it moves us from receiving life through faith, to the power of living by faith. This is what the Scripture means when it says: “We are right with God through life-giving faith!” Romans 1: 17

Paul was a man who encountered Jesus on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians. He was a man that had dedicated his life to silencing  christianity. He was anti-Christianity so much that he had to travel long distances just to go and arrest believers in Christ. He was very convinced that he was serving God by opposing Jesus and His followers. He even witnessed the stoning of Stephen as a service unto God. He was a brutal man that was shaped by religious views of life. Religion in general has no respect for life.

It is ready to terminate life in order to protect it’s religious beliefs. Man protects religion, and not vice versa. Religion has no power to protect, and has no power have anybody. Paul, who was Saul before he was changed by the power of God, was determined to protect his religion, Judaism from Christianity. Anything you protect by killing people is dead, and is void of power to change anybody.

Jesus gave His life, so He can save us. He did not protect His life from been arrested and killed. He willingly surrendered Himself and when Peter tried to protect Him, He rebuked him sternly. He even put back the ear, Peter had cut off of the soldier. Jesus went all the way without offering any resistance to His accusers and torturers. Because His death necessitated His resurrection that has the power to change even those that were His accusers and torturers. Paul was like one of those accusers of Jesus, whose purpose was to protect their religion and kill anyone who is a threat to their religion.

15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting 1 Timothy 1: 15, 16

Paul regarded himself to be the worst sinner, whom the Lord changed by His grace. The salvation of Paul was the reality of God’s grace. A man, whose intentions were opposed to God’s but yet God met him and changed his life forever. He was on his way to persecute the church of Christ and then Christ, Himself intervened, not to kill Paul but to save him. Paul was on a journey to kill for his religion, but Jesus, been the Way, the Truth and the Life gave to life to Paul. The gospel changes and gives life, and does not kill. Jesus was killed so that we may have life through the gospel. The gospel does not defend itself from people, but it has made itself vulnerable to man.

The gospel is the power of God to change any condition of mankind. It does not matter what condition one has, it has the power to change a sinner into a saint, a murderer into an apostle, a prostitute into a witness of Christ. There is no sin that is beyond the power of God that is in the gospel. No matter where you are currently, the power of God is able to reach you and change you. Just like Jesus reached out to Paul and changed his life, He can change yours too.