[Blog] The Formidable Paul

"In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord", he answered. The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying." (Acts 9:10-11).

Jesus died for our salvation and sealed the deal of life everlasting with Him. But a lot of us have doubts if one person is indeed saved and has been changed by Jesus especially if we know them and their past. This is what happened to Paul. Reading his story, Paul is dubbed to be a murderer of Christ's believers. His name resonates in all of Jerusalem as he already killed so many of them until one day, the Lord Jesus spoke to him under a bright light having all of his fellas with him witnessing that momentous, jaw-dropping and dumbfounding event. But the Lord really has a plan for him and He said on verse 15:

"But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel."

But that did not end there. Paul did not just gain his sight back but has received Christ as his Lord and Savior. From that point on, he has been very bold in proclaiming the new life that was given to him. The once before persecutor of Christ and His people is now the one boldy teaching His word and His goodness to a lot of people. Remember, God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. He is the only one who can say who is chosen and Paul is one of them. In his boldness, Paul wrote epistles to the Romans, the Corinthians, the Galatians, the Philippians and the Philemon. Christ has become his boldness! Since he has been saved and has experienced miracle from Him, he did not have second thoughts of proclaiming God's goodness overall. But let me remind you, he was once a sinner but God named him as His chosen one who will speak before the Gentiles and their kings.

Did we ever ask ourselves if we have been bold enough to proclaim God's goodness in our lives? Or do we still feel defeated knowing that we are sinners and those that we have committed in the past still has a hold on us? God did not send His only Son to put up a show. He has sent His only Son to save us from the pit. Death has no more sting on us anymore and its sting is sin so if Christ is living in us, there is no doubt that we can live a life of victory and His grace is sufficient for us. Don't keep yourself locked in your room so that no one can see you reading your Bible or you're ashamed to be called Christians. Take Paul as an example of someone who has found boldness in Christ. It's not too late to accept Him in your lives. Take heart, go, proclaim His goodness to the ends of the earth.