The one who used to...

Scripture: Galatians 1:23-24; All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” 24 And they praised God because of me.

Observations: The grace of Jesus became famous through Paul’s life. Paul, as Saul, was more opposed and violent toward the gospel than anyone, possibly. He was committed to destroy the gospel, and all hope of the church. And now, he is preaching the gospel of Christ, and grace instead of Law. This was hard for them to believe and accept about Paul, at first. What if he was just deceiving them to gain information about people, or gain access to the leadership? Trust had to be built, but over time they believed the witness that Paul really had changed. Then, they praised God because of Paul and his miraculous story. If God could forgive and accept Saul, and change his murderous heart, then really He could change anyone.

Application: People love a good story that starts with "the one who used to...." One of the greatest evidences of the truth of the gospel is its power to change. God’s grace brings radical change to people’s lives. Why is that? Without grace, we are bound to shame, always living in self-condemnation. With grace, we are free to embrace change and a new way of living. We are free to love the people God has given us to love, because we’ve been so radically loved by Jesus. Jesus loved and forgave us when we were His enemy, like Saul. He confronted us with grace while we were still far from Him. Our lives change, our purpose changes, our goals and motivations change, all because of grace. We live our lives with the Kingdom always in mind because of Christ, and grace, and redemption. And people praise God because of all He has done, and is doing in our lives. Are people praising God for His grace in your life?

Prayer: Jesus, may we receive the message of Your grace, and may people praise You because of how we live.