For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.
“I know why you’re here, and you aren’t going to change my mind.” He was adamant. And I thought, “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” He was on a path that would greatly compromise the message of Jesus. He didn’t realize it until I shared a story with him.
A man was making an evangelism call on a man who looked vaguely familiar. He couldn’t place how he knew the man he was visiting. “Look,” he said, you’re down at the Lodge every Monday night telling us that there are many paths to God. But here you’re telling me that Jesus is the only way to salvation. You need to decide which is true.”
My friend realized he had to decide as well. Would he join the Lodge, or not? His adamant resolve dissolved before my eyes. He didn’t join.
Paul speaks of his dramatic conversion here in his letter to the Galatians. He “was advancing in Judaism beyond many of his own age among his people, so extremely zealous was he for the traditions of his fathers.” But God had other plans. His conversion was radical and far-reaching. From violent persecutor of the church to the most dedicated and prolific missionary of the New Testament.
We might be tempted to wish we had such a dramatic conversion story. We might think that our witness would be more powerful if we could brag about of sinful ways before coming to know Christ. We might imagine we could be more effective in our sharing of the gospel if we could point to a dramatic before and after witness.
But God uses people who are willing to share their faith however they can. For the power of the Holy Spirit depends not on the person sharing the gospel, but on the gospel message we share. Paul himself says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). He also confesses that when he is weak then he is strong. That’s because the power of God to change hearts and lives is God’s power.
David Bahn - Reflections 
Leave a comment