Paul had been beaten, mocked, ship-wrecked, chased out of town, and imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel. Yet he had never wavered from carrying forward the Gospel message. His life had been completely transformed when he encountered the glorified Christ on the road to Damascus. One glimpse of the risen Lord left Paul with only one message--that of faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is not dependent on keeping rules and regulations. The Pharisees had already been convicted of that crime by Jesus Himself.
Faith is not dependent on human righteousness. Isaiah 64:6 declares that all our righteousness are as filthy rags in the sight of the Lord. Faith is belief in the atoning work of Jesus accomplished at Calvary and evidenced by His Resurrection. Faith comes by hearing the Gospel. Gospel means good news. Paul knew that to obtain faith, a person must hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
If Paul and So may other people, even now all around the World are beaten, mocked, ship-wrecked, chased out of town, and imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel.
It is a shame to me, that in the Bible people gave everything all for a moment of God's Glory and I can't even give up the little things! Lord Help us to Never be ashamed but preach God everywhere all the time! That we may understand the Glory of His Gospel!
Amen!
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