Grace Really Is Amazing

It’s one of the surprising events in Christian history, maybe even in human history.

No one could have predicted or assumed that Saul would have come to faith in Christ. Certainly, no contemporary Christian could have imagined that Paul would become the greatest missionary in the history of the church. Except for Barnabas vouching for the change in Paul’s life, the church probably would not have received Paul.

Paul meant more to the church and the Christian faith than anyone other than Jesus. It is truly amazing what one committed person can accomplish.

What do we learn from Paul’s conversion?

First, we learn that grace really is amazing. Acts 7:54-8:1 and 9:1-30 show how unlikely Paul’s conversion was. Even after Paul’s conversion, only Barnabas’ reputation and recommendation allowed Paul to connect with the church.

God’s amazing grace means that no one is outside of God’s reach. Your sin and your past do not bar you from the grace of God. Paul’s conversion shows that God has opened the way to salvation through Jesus Christ.

Second, we learn commitment and faith are more important than background and experience. We persist in looking at who we were. God keeps looking at who we can become. Paul’s words in Ephesians 1 and 2 make this so clear. This is especially evident in Ephesians 2:1-10. Paul described how we were by nature objects of wrath but God who is rich in mercy made us alive in Christ. Once we were darkness but now we are light (Ephesians 5:8).

Third, we learn the power of a Godly life. What difference could one person make? In a neighborhood? In a family? In a business? What if we followed Paul’s view that Christ was his vocation and tent making was his way to make a living? What if we looked for every opportunity to give an account of the hope we have in Christ? (1 Peter 3:15).

What if we truly lived as free people who actually are light? What if we left the past behind and lived as new creatures? What if we took our faith to our neighbors and family?

May God bless you as you seek to live obediently unto Christ.

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