No one can remain unchanged after a real encounter with Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.
In the Acts of the Apostles we read of the infamous Pharisee Saul, the most feared terrorist, who was responsible for the dreadful persecution of the church and the martyrdom of one of the first Christians, the courageous young man, Stephen.
While on a rampage to persecute and kill more believers he had an unplanned encounter that changed his life forever.
On his mission he was stuck to the ground by a bright light, “brighter than the noonday sun”.
The voice of Jesus resounded, “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me?” This voice went on to tell him that he was commissioned to be a spokesperson for Christ for the rest of his life.
Many years later, while he stood trial before King Agrippa, he said, “I did this first in Jerusalem, and with the authority of the chief priests, I put many of God’s people in jail. I even voted for them to be killed. I often had them punished in our meeting places, and I tried to make them give up their faith.” Acts 26:10-11.
After his encounter with Christ, he went on to become the most ardent advocate for the Christian faith.
He never forgot the commission he received on that noonday as he travelled to Damascus.
Towards the end of his life, during his own trial, he said: “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.” Acts 26:19.
Paul, as he later became known, instead of carrying letters of authority to undermine and destroy the Church, he now wrote many inspiring letters, under the authority of Christ, that have been used by God to build up the church for hundreds of years.
His faithfulness as a proponent of the power of the Gospel resulted in years of his imprisonment and severe suffering for Christ, and eventual martyrdom by being beheaded in Rome.
Like him, many have had their lives radically transformed by an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Throughout the New Testament there are many striking examples of individuals whose lives were totally transformed for their eternal good through an encounter with Jesus Christ.
Just today, I heard the story of a friend, who had been facing some severe life challenges. His life was radically transformed by a meeting with the Lord Jesus Christ.
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