MARCH 3, Galatians 1:13-15, 23

The Apostle Paul was the author of the Epistle to the Galatians. Before he came to know Jesus, he was called Saul, who was a terrible persecutor or punisher of Christians! No one can imagine that Saul could change and become a Christian. On his own, it was impossible. Yet he did become a Christian. How could that be possible? The gospel changed him. The gospel in the Bible can change people. After Jesus appeared to him, Saul turned into a totally different person – one who once hated Christians now became a Christian himself, and became Christianity’s great preacher. Saul was once an enemy of God. Then he became an enemy of Satan. There must be change in the life of someone who claims he or she is a Christian. Have you changed for the better after becoming a Christian?

How is your temper? Is it better than the past? What about pride? Do you think you are one of the smartest or best-looking child? If you came from a wealthy family, do you look down on those from more modest backgrounds? You must see changes in your life because God has taught that every Christian is a new creature. He now has Jesus in him or her and that would cause him or her to want to follow Jesus. We are not talking about a complete change. Our weaknesses will remain, but increasingly we would want to fight against them. We are not talking about being perfect. No one will be perfect.

What was Saul like? He knew the Old Testament very well and was also a Pharisee, having a very high standard of moral purity. However, he did not know Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. He had a deep hatred for Christians and went all out to persecute them. He was known as the chief persecutor of the Christian church.

But the gracious God had a plan. God saved and changed him. The gospel changed him – from being a murderer to a missionary. God can change any sinner. What needs to happen is for him to repent of his sins, and accept Jesus as his only Lord and Saviour. And there would be change in that person’s life!

Thought: God can change people!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You can change people by the gospel. Help me to be willing to be changed and used by You to serve others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.