God’s changing word
Reflections on Galatians 1:6-17
“You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors. But even before I was born, God chose me and called me to his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.” Galatians 1:13-16
Many times when a person becomes a believer In Jesus Christ, they are known as “On fire for the Lord.” They see that actions they have done in the past are forgiven by God. Oh, that doesn’t come automatically, but with lots of soul searching and prayers on your knees. The person has been mentored by several believers in the faith community to work with them, giving encouragement, setting opportunities to practice their newfound faith with others in the church.
Members of the faith community take them along to show how to share their faith and bring others to believe in Jesus. After a time, they are encouraged to visit people who want to know about Jesus. However, this is a critical time. When the inquirer asks searching questions the new witness doesn’t have an answer. Or they feel criticized and put on the defensive, they tend to question if this is right for them and stop witnessing. Every person who has walked this road has experienced moments like these, how does one recover? By realizing the Spirit of God is leading you.
The Apostle Paul experienced a reversal in his spiritual life. He was on fire for God by persecuting the people of God in the church of that day. Many of the people he talked to were Jewish believers, that believed Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Saul, was his name at the time, considered them as lawbreakers; hunting people down to restore them to proper belief. However in his zeal, God had to interrupt his mission by having Saul, now changed his name to Paul, realize that other people different then Paul were loved by God too. Paul saw that he was a servant of God first and whatever else he did was secondary.
Are you a servant of God first in your life? Youth tell me all the time what they want to do in their adult lives. Some want to be teachers, or on the police force. Funeral directors or doctors. The responses go on and on. Then I ask them: Are you going to be a teacher or a Christian teacher? A doctor or a Christian doctor? A funeral director or a Christian funeral director? What I am asking is: Are you going to put your relationship with Christ first and what you do for work that informs others who you are, second. I have even told committees that have considered me as a pastoral candidate, that if I come to serve here, I will be a Christian pastor. When I mention this to others, they start to think are they a Christian in the workplace or a worker who says they are Christian.
Dear Lord, you changed the life of Paul and have changed mine. Continue to empower me with your Spirit, so I may bring your word of love and support to all people. May I be the witness to Jesus of you intended me to be. Amen.