Scripture Post #392: *PAUL'S PAST*

Galatians 1:13: "For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:"

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Context: This Scripture was from Apostle Paul and all the brethren which were with him, unto the Churches of Galatia (Gal. 1:1-2).

*PAUL'S PAST* (before JESUS changed him), was a past of Church persecution:

Acts 8:3: "As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison."

But Saul changed (because of GOD's changing power) into Apostle Paul! This shows that we shouldn't give up on anybody! If a Church-destroyer can change into a Church-builder, through the power of GOD, then who are we to give up on people and think some people will never come to GOD? No. GOD did it for Paul, once Saul, and GOD can do it for anyone! This thing is so powerful that the Churches of Judaea heard that Apostle Paul who persecuted them in times past now preached the faith which once he destroyed(!):

Gal. 1:21: "Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;"

V. 22: "And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:"

V. 23: "But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed."

V. 24: "And they glorified God in me."

GOD's saving grace can rest upon anyone—please, don't give up on people. 

Check out this attitude, this mindset of Paul when he wrote: 

Philippians 3:13: "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,"

V. 14: "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Forgetting past things and pressing forward towards the things of GOD. Don't be held to your past—look ahead! We all have a past of things we've done that were sin against GOD. But we don't have to stay there. We've messed up, stumbled and have fallen, but we are *now*, new creatures in CHRIST JESUS: 

2nd Cor. 5:17: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

We, like Paul, have messed up bad before GOD. But let's take hold of what Paul stated ("…forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before…") and realize that we no longer have to stay bound by the chains of our past sin-mistakes. Once we repent, we are forgiven and we are free and made new in CHRIST JESUS, never to look back again!

Originally Published: Wed. 10/9/13