Faith Believers,
Scripture states that our chief enemy is satan. “For our
struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly realms”- Ephesians 6:12. Therefore, we
should recognize that behind our flesh and blood enemies ultimately satan is at
work.
The Apostle Paul probably understood this concept more fully
than any of the disciples or other believers. At one time, he persecuted the
followers of Jesus, even casting his vote to have many put to death, while he
watched in approval. A case could certainly be made that Paul considered all
believers to be his enemies, and vice versa.
But when GOD got Paul’s attention
on the road to Damascus, which ultimately led to Paul's salvation through Jesus, Paul grasped for the first time, the mercy of the Lord. He understood that the
followers of Jesus were not his enemies, and at that moment, GOD gave Paul tremendous insight
about the real enemy – satan.
Paul went from being an enemy of GOD, to a child of GOD; through
a personal encounter with Jesus. Paul described the difference, from personal
experience to the Philippian church: “For, as I have often told you before and
now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in
their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven” - Philippians 3:18-20a.
It is also important to remember that, like Paul, each of us
was at one time an enemy of GOD: “Since we now have been justified by His
blood, how much more shall we be saved from GOD’s wrath through Him! For if,
when we were GOD’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His
Son, how much more, having been reconciled shall we be saved through His life?
Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have now received reconciliation” - Romans 5:9-11.
Because we
have experienced the mercy of GOD,
should we not also extend it to others?
Bless & Be Blessed,
Marilyn
Chaney
Merciful Father,
My life is whole and new, since I began a relationship with
Jesus,
even when I go through disappointments and struggles.
There are so many who believe You to be their enemy,
when satan is the one who is making their lives
miserable and dysfunctional.
Please use me to bring Your light and mercy
into the lives of those around me
who are in the midst of difficult circumstances.
In the name of Your Son Jesus,
Father I pray.
even when I go through disappointments and struggles.
There are so many who believe You to be their enemy,
when satan is the one who is making their lives
miserable and dysfunctional.
Please use me to bring Your light and mercy
into the lives of those around me
who are in the midst of difficult circumstances.
In the name of Your Son Jesus,
Father I pray.
Amen
THE APOSTLE PAUL'S CONVERSION BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteBefore discussing Saul's conversion we need to establish a point of fact. You cannot become a Christian and have unforgiven sins. If your sins have been forgiven you are a Christian. If you are a Christian then your sins have been forgiven. It is impossible to separate forgiveness, from being in Christ. How could you say I became a Christian last night but my sins were not forgiven? By the same reasoning you could not assert that I had my sins forgiven last night but I am not a Christian.
What is true for us, was true for the apostle Paul.
Acts 9:3-6 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" 5 And he said, "Who are You Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what to do."
Saul obviously believed in Jesus at this point, yet he was still not forgiven of his sins; therefore he was not a Christian. Paul was not saved by "FAITH ONLY."
Acts 9:9-11 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am Lord." 11 And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,
Saul believed that Jesus was Lord.
Saul repented.
Saul fasted and prayed for three days.
After three days on the road to Damascus Saul was still not forgiven of his sins. Saul was not saved by faith alone, Saul was not saved by repenting alone. Saul was not saved by praying and fasting. SAUL WAS NOT SAVED ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS.
Acts 22:12-16 "A certain Ananias....13 came to me....16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'
Saul's sins were forgiven after he was baptized in water, not before.
Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Saul was not a Christian until he was baptized into Christ.
Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved......
Saul was not saved until he was immersed in water.
Acts 2:38...and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of you sins....
Saul sins where not forgiven until he was baptized in water.
Paul was saved the way all men are saved. FAITH John 3:16---REPENTANCE Acts 3:19---CONFESSION Romans 10:9-19---WATER BAPTISM Acts 2:38
YOU CANNOT SEPARATE BECOMING A CHRISTIAN AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS!
PAUL WAS NOT SAVED ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS----PAUL WAS SAVED IN DAMASCUS.
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