JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “What were some tangible differences in Paul’s life after he converted to Christ?”

The conversion of the Apostle Paul to Jesus Christ was one of the more dramatic conversions in the whole Bible.

He was on his way to Damascus on a mission to persecute Christians, but as he was arriving, he became a follower of Jesus Christ. That changed everything regarding his purpose. Instead of wanting to destroy the church, he wanted to bless the church and build it up in the faith.

Where he once pursued legalistic religion, he saw the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ as his Lord.

Where he once took pride in his own righteousness, he was learning to gain the righteousness of Christ built on faith.

And his attitude changed. In Titus 3:3 he said, “At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”

Paul’s transformation shows us that through Christ, our priorities and attitudes have a way of changing in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com